The Fall of Peter

Girolamo

1. "Forgive me father, for I have sinned."
Said Girolamo Simoncelli, in a confessional.

2. "Speak, my child..."
The priest on the other side replied .

3. "Father, have you heard about the prophecy of the popes by Saint Malachy?"

The cardinal asked.

4. "In fact I have... everyone has been buzzing about it. It's a scary piece of paper..."
The priest affirmed.

5. "Well, I discovered it. Last year, I was researching and separating old documents when I couldn't believe what I found. It was crazy how accurate that thing was being.
6. And then I saw the next name. It was listed as 'ex antiquitate urbis', which means 'from the old city'. I was shocked when I made the connection. I come from Orvieto, which in latin is called 'Urbevetanum'..."
Girolamo said in enthusiasm.

7. "Which means 'old city'. I see you point, son, you must have felt so relatable."
The priest completed.

8. "More than relatable, father. I was the only one to associate with that description. So, I sent some of my supporters to spread it out.
9. Many of the priests and bishops were making the connection as well. I don't know if they felt obligated to fulfill the prophecy, or just scared that if they didn't they would be punished.
10. In that day, I was already the Pope... The conclave wasn't aware yet, but they would be...
11. But someone with great influence started to insinuate that I forged it to manipulate the people... That was extremely insulting. I would never... NEVER... make up something to blaspheme one of our holy brothers."
The cardinal suddenly turned his mood into anger.

12. "I believe you, son... But people are usually deceived quickly. They wanna believe in the most prejudicial fact, because they feel good in blaming and hating someone, even if it's one of their own..."
The priest wisely said.

13. "Yes... That's disgusting... One day I was the future pope, in the other I was as rotten as an antichrist. Of course I asked around to figure out who could've done that.
14. When I found out that it was one of my own followers, I was disbelieved. But then, it turns out that this rat was actually a spy from Niccolò Sfondrati. And even more unfair, he was the one elected pope later in that conclave."
Girolamo said with even more anger.

15. "The Pope Gregory XIV... It's unfortunate that he died two days ago."
The priest knew about the Holy Father.

16. "You see? That old man was already falling apart when he entered the conclave, and yet he sabotaged me to win! But I wouldn't leave that just like it's nothing... Oh no, that rat had to pay with everything he had..."
Girolamo said with evil in his voice.

17. "Son... you didn't kill him, right?"
The priest asked with apprehension.

18. "Of course not! Why would I do such stupid and nonsense thing?"
The cardinal replied with condescending tone.

19. "Well..."
The priest was relieved, but before he could continue talking, Girolamo interrupted.

20. "I sent my men to kill his wife and two daughters.
That would make him suffer just like I did...
That would make him lose everything just like I did...
21. That would make him want to die, just like I wanted to...
The only difference is that he went through it all the way.
22. After all, he knew he couldn't blame me if I wasn't even there. And without proofs, accusing a cardinal is very shameful and could also get him killed. I guess he didn't have any choice..."
The cardinal said with relief in his voice.

23. "Mr. Simoncelli.."
The father started to say with a little apprehension.

"Call me Girolamo."
The cardinal interrupted.

24. "Sure... Girolamo, what you did was wrong. You sent your followers to kill those people, then you killed them. This is unacceptable..."
The priest started to preach when Girolamo interrupted him again.

25. "Hold your preach, father, we are all sinners, remember? He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone...
26. And besides, I haven't finished yet. There was still someone else who didn't get the right punishment... That old man couldn't just walk away from what he did to me.
27. You see, he had a very disturbing disease that made him feel pain. So, I gave him some sort of pain poison. It wasn't gonna choke him just like the regular one. It would only give him pain, and then, kill him.
28. But don't worry, it wasn't just gonna make him see the Lord in a matter of seconds, he had to suffer. The poison would bring excruciating pain before killing him. And so it was done..."
The cardinal finished with a grin and in malefic tone.

29. "Oh my God..."
The priest was terrified and didn't know what to say next.

30. "Well, I'm glad I let it out of my chest. But, I can't let you walk knowing all the things I just told you. You would just say to the authorities everything you've heard from me."
Girolamo said.

31. "No! I won't, son! This is a confessional, nothing can leave here!"
The priest said, desperate for his own safety.

32. "That's a lie, father... All you priests snitch everyone, not to be joust, but to get a lot of money from the guards... I'll see you soon."
Girolamo said.

33. "No, wait! Girolamo?!"
The priest screamed but got no answer at all.

34. Girolamo left one side of the cabin, while in the other one entered three of his followers with knives...

October 17, 1591.