The Octopus at the Vatican

# 17 - Sept. 3 - a deal

At 8 o'clock, on Sunday morning, his private line rang. It was the expert promised by President Carter. He arrived at 9 o'clock, at 11 o'clock it was all done. The major rooms were secured. He would come back each week for a check. It wouldn't cost anything, it was just a friendly hand.

At 11 o'clock, John Paul I asked his State Secretary to meet him at 2 o'clock in his Cabinet. Villot objected that it was the Lord's Day and his siesta time. The pope argued that they had a lot to do and that the Lord wouldn't mind.

At midday, Gianpaolo appeared at the window, for the Angelus public prayer.

At 1 o'clock, he had lunch on his own.

At 2 o'clock, he greeted Cardinal Villot, even more sullen than usual.

"Well, Your Eminence, are you with or against me", challenged the pope.

"But with you, Holy Father, with you", said Villot, flabbergasted by his bluntness.

"We've been working together for a week now and either you object to my propositions systematically or you simply say they are impossible."

"Well, Holy Father, your suggestions are so very different from those of your predecessor. As you are new in such a high position, I thought it was my duty to let you know. In order to let you make informed decisions."

"Thank you for your concern. I can understand it up to a point, being provincial with no experience of governing. You keep declaring, 'The previous pope didn't do things this way, he wouldn't have done it that way.' Let me tell you: it's the end of this. Paul VI is dead. The only thing you can do for him is to ask the Council of Elders for a beatification. Paul VI has nothing more to say in this world. I'm the pope today. Is it clear enough?"

"It couldn't be clearer, Your Holiness. But if I may. . ."

"Yes?"

"You were elected by 99 voices out of 111. The Cardinals who voted for you, above all those of the Curia, would feel betrayed if you started reforms that don't match their wishes."

"I didn't woo anyone, I made no promises to anybody, I don't owe anything to anyone."

"But you are the pope, Holy Father."

"I didn't look for it. And you, being Camerlengo, know this better than anybody. I hesitated to say 'I accept', when you asked me. You had to ask me twice. Let's not prevaricate. Yes, I said yes. I'm the pope. And the pope asks you once more, 'are you with or against him?'"

"With him."

"Good."

"Well. I asked you to remain my State secretary despite your age and your health, in order to help me sort things out. Thank you for having said yes. And as you are with me, please would you accept to stay with me till next year? And to submit your choice for three surrogates? We'll examine your pre-choices, and then I'll decide."

"I agree, Holy Father."

Good, Luciani thought, I shook him up, but he seems to be staying on my side. He is so quiet! He shuts up like a clam. But something tells me that beneath his shell, he's a good guy. I must take the risk. In any case, I have no choice. Let's get started!

"What's to follow is confidential, your Eminence. Strictly between you and me. No written note. No talking to anyone."

"All right, I'm listening."

"My apartment and my telephone line have been secured."

"Ah! You didn't tell me! Paul VI wouldn't have worried about tapping. He would have asked me."

The pope laughed.

"See, you can't help it, there you are again, Your Eminence! I, Gianpaolo 1st, I am concerned about tapping. And I, Gianpaolo 1st, don't pass everything through my Secretary of State. I sometimes happen to act for myself."

"I'm sorry dear Holy Father, I must recognize I have a crease in my cassock", said Villot with a smile.

"Can we get to the heart of the matter?"

"Yes, yes, I won't interrupt again."

"Next Wednesday, September 6th at 10 o'clock, I will get shot. It will happen in the Nervi Hall during the general audience. I've unequivocally been told. It's a structured plot. I don't know the reason. My hopes for reform could have filtered through. I'm taking the following measures: on Tuesday evening I'll leave the Vatican incognito. Paul VI's sealed information will be useful. I can't tell you more. At 10 o'clock on Tuesday evening, you'll gather my personal team. You'll tell them that I'll be away for a few days, that they must keep it secret, and continue as usual. At 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning, you'll get Radio Vatican to announce that the 10 o'clock audience in the Nervi Hall is canceled. Without explanations. If you get asked questions, it will be 'no comment' which will avoid the sin of lying. You'll manage the store the way you do so competently when the pope is away. For your own information, I'm going off for 3 to 4 days' spiritual retreat. I plan to be back during the night 8th to 9th. If you get your apartment and line secured, I'll try to call you. Otherwise, I won't call you. That's all. Any questions? Suggestions?"

"No, it's quite clear, Holy Father. I'm wholly with you. Even if differences exist on apostolic matters, they mean nothing compared with what they are attempting against you. It's appalling. And I'm willing to see your tapping expert."

"Thank you for your support, Your Eminence. It's of great help. He'll be there tomorrow. He'll tell you he's there to check the electric features. It's free. Don't try to understand. God sometimes helps us. Remember. Not a word about all this to anyone."