Five years earlier…
1660
Rome, Italy
“Dante Cuoco!”
A jolt went down my spine. I took one last glimpse of the gilded arches, and rushed down the hall after Father Ottavio.
“Really, Dante, you must keep some composure if you are to become a priest. You act like a young child, not a young man.” Although I respected the priest, I felt the urge to rebut with a statement of my own. “It is a rare occasion to meet the Pope, much less at your young age.” So I wasn’t leaving, I thought. A rush of pride and shock suddenly coursed through my veins, freezing me in place. It was only the call of my name once more that unfroze me.
“When you meet the Holy Father, will you ask a question for me?” I nodded numbly, still in shock. He whispered the question in my ear. Father Ottavio quietly opened a pair of wooden doors with its cast- iron handles, and entered the Colonna Chapel. There stood Pope Alexander VII on the steps of the engraved, stone altar. We genuflected before the Holy Father, and the priest stood and gently kissed the piscatory ring on the Holy Father’s right hand. I wondered why I hadn’t been taken to the Vatican City, and feared that I was forbidden to enter for the mischief I caused. In inaudible voices, the Pope and the priest conversed, and then, in a moderate-toned voice, the Pope beckoned me to stand beside him. I quickly rushed over, and in a soft whisper, the priest said, “Composure, my dear Dante,” and Father Ottavio left the grand room. I let my eyes wander around the chapel.
As the Pope turned the attention to me, he spoke in a gravelly and gruff voice, strange for someone his age.
“This conversation, then, must not ever be heard by the ears of anyone else but yours and mine.”
“Y-yes, your Holiness.” I stumbled on my words, but I was made sure I righted my tone before I spoke again.
“Are you aware of the Renaissance and its ideas? Are you aware that its teachings contradict the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and of Aristotle, the greatest Greek philosopher of all time?”
“Yes, your Holi-”
“Are you aware that we, the clergy, are losing its power?!”
“I-” I sat upon that thought for a few moments, well, a dozen of moments, then began again, choosing my words carefully.
“-I cannot say that I agree nor disagree with astronomers and mathematicians such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler. The world has become more secular since the beginning of the Renaissance, and so I suppose that, yes, I am aware of this matter, whether I have unconsciously realized it since the beginning of my studies or not.” My answer satisfied me, but suddenly, I became cognizant of what I said, and decided that, maybe, just maybe, the Pope might have taken this as an offense. I hoped not. The Holy Father’s expression changed slightly, and as I was mentally preparing myself for the worst times of my life, the Pope Alexander VII spoke.
“You are perfect for this mission. As I have already told you, fewer and fewer people are relying on church teachings, and so, I would like you to hunt down heretics. Join me, and we’ll scare Florence and the other city-states into the shadows.”
“Yes, I appreciate the offer, your Holiness, but-”
“And if you do not accept and complete your mission, you will be stripped of your priesthood training. You will be travelling to Florence immediately.”
Although I disliked the Holy Father now that I had met him, I revered him, and obeyed. “Yes, your Holiness. I must go home and gather some provisions, as well as my-” I stopped. Why was I in such a rush?
He chuckled lightly, even though he had been dead serious only a few moments before. “That will be taken care of, Dante.” Pope Alexander VII turned away, and began to walk out of the chapel, past the rich, wooden pews, the marble pillars, and the gilded balconies.
I started to ask the priest’s question. “Holy Father, do you-” I stopped, realizing he had already exited the chapel.
