The Octopus at the Vatican

# 31 - the trick

Friday 29 – the Vatican

Cardinal Villot was sleeping with one eye open, owing to what was going on, on the floor above. He lay fully dressed on his bed, ready for anything. He jumped up when he heard a noise at the door. It was one of the Curie's most conservative cardinals. It was half past two in the morning. His visitor was not pulling punches. The impact of his speech contrasted with his soft tone.

"Please excuse my nocturnal intrusion your Eminence, but the subject is of enormous importance for the Church."

"I'm listening, your Eminence."

"His Holiness seemed quite unwell to many of us last night. He complained about a discomfort in his chest. I'm very concerned about his health. I hope it's a false alarm and he will have recovered and be among us, fully fit, this morning. But I was so worried I took it upon myself to disturb you. I daren't bother his Holiness. He must rest after last evening's exhaustion."

Villot knew perfectly well this was nonsense. He had spent more time than anyone else with the pope the previous day, so he was perfectly aware of how good he was. But he just simply replied:

"I can understand your fear. May I suggest we say a prayer together for the Pope's health?"

Both cardinals knelt on the floor and prayed for a while.

"Well, your Eminence, come to the point, said Villot rather abruptly as he stood up again."

"You're right. If Gianpaolo did die this night, you never know, God's hand is so unpredictable, it would be your duty as State Secretary and Camerlengo to destroy the pope's last orders. In order not to trouble our next pontificate, who could have a different approach."

"And what makes you think I could do such a thing?", asked Villot, rather upset.

"I heard that some ill-intentioned people hold an incriminating file against you. I also seem to have understood that these people didn't want several things to happen. If they were to happen, nevertheless, these people might release some damaging reports about you. Being aware of these facts, here I am, as a brother and a friend to beg you to try and avoid such regrettable events."

"I'm listening Eminence, said Villot coldly."

"In case of His Holiness's premature death, it would be advisable not to have an autopsy performed. A corporal intrusion on the sacred Holy Father would be unnecessary, the Pope being ill. A prompt embalming would allow for the ritual lying in state to the public, without any delay, which would also, thankfully, shorten the interregnum."

The absence of an autopsy suited Villot. He, too, had a plan for the embalming. He was prepared to go along with the three dismissals for his own sake. He knew where the bullet would come from. He had to be extremely careful. He thought: I tried, didn't make it, I've already saved the Pope, which should be enough for my redemption. Now I must work on my salvation on earth.

He nodded and dismissed his visitor.

At 4:45 a.m., as per the plan, Sister Vincenza discovered the Pope's corpse. As planned, she called Cardinal Villot who came immediately. And as planned, he called Doctor Buzzonetti who came to the Vatican right away. Doctor Renato Buzzonetti confirmed, as planned, the death by heart attack just before midnight. He established the death certificate.

Around 7 o'clock, while the three people in the know were dressing the dummy, the two Signoracci brothers, Ernesto and Renato, who had embalmed the three previous popes, dropped by. The Signoracci said that the Vatican had called their Medical Institute earlier on. It must have been his night visitor. But unfortunately, they were too late, as other embalmers were already on the job. Villot paid them better than if they had done the work and made them promise absolute confidentiality on this very embarrassing matter for the Vatican. It was the result of a mixture of competence due to the emotion stirred by His Holiness's passing. If ever journalists or whoever were to ask them if they had embalmed the pope, their answer would be 'not comment' or 'professional secret'.

After that interruption, Cardinal Villot, Sister Vincenza and Doctor Buzzonetti proceeded to dress the corpse with the traditional suit of vestments for exposure to the public. The defunct Pope wore a soft tiara, white socks, mules, a white cassock under a red one. His hands, holding a rosary, were crossed. His head rested on the stole covering a heavy velvet garnet cushion. His face was serene. The staging was perfect.

Once everything was in place, the staff were invited to the papal apartments at the end of the morning. As a precaution, it was preferable not to get too close to the Holy Father; the doctor could not rule out the presence of a virus that could have triggered the heart attack, which was why only Cardinal Villot, Sister Vincenza and Dr. Buzzonetti had proceeded to dress His Holiness. The risk of contamination spread, keeping curious onlookers away. On that same day, the body was taken to the Clementina Room and the doors were locked. The next day, escorted by the Swiss Guard and followed by a procession of prelates with candles and prayers, the remains of John Paul I were brought to St. Peter's Basilica, watched by cameras from all over the world. For four days, the faithful queued at a distance to honor the smiling pope one last time. In Lurano, Bonassoli savored the universal pictures of his unknown work of art.

Vittorio asked Nancy if it wasn't her, he had seen, during the night of the 28th, driving a car with Abbé Dubois, on a wasteland between Cinecitta and the racecourse. He told her in detail what had happened. She applauded their miraculous rescue, stroked his forehead and murmured tenderly:

"Have a rest my love, you really need it after all these big emotions."