Quote from: The Rock Doctor on October 07, 2008, 06:59:01 AM
I've done my civic duty.

your refund check is in the mail.

Sistine Chapel  Tuesday Morning February 7th 1913.
Day 4 of the Conclave had begun at dawn with morning prayers, followed by poltical discussions, followed by Breakfast interspaced with more political discussions.  By late morning the ballots had been cast and the outcome was not completely unexpected.   The voting had swung towards the moderate and compromise candidates.
The Results of the Seventh Ballot were as follows

Felix Cardinal Romero	6
Louis Cardinal Billot	2
Aristitde Cardinal Rinaldini	5
Giacomo Cardinal Della Chiesa	1
Pietro Cardinal Maffi	10
Jakobus Cardianl Stammer	1
Abbot Ignatius Curiatius	34
Former Bishop of Rome

Sistine Chapel Vatican City Rome – Tuesday February 7th 1913 Lunch

Actors:
Aristide Cardinal Rinaldini – Camerlengo of the College of Cardinals
Francesco Cardinal Della Volpe – Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church

Cardinal Rinaldini   "Ok, we have made some process but I think we need to convince a few more of the hold outs on our own side.  To many of our brothers are still holding out hopping to elect Young Maffi and at least some are still hopping to elect myself."

Cardinal Volpe "Well do you want to work on the French or out Italian Brethren.  It appears we have convinced the large majority of the conservatives so it would appear."

Cardinal Rinaldini   Thinking about the math "It appears that if we can convince even just my supporters to support Ignatius we will be well on our way.  I would however like to sway as many of Maffi's French supporters as well."

Cardinal Volpe "Ok then, I will speak with the French Cardinals, I will stress that we need to agree on a compromise now while the option remains open.   We cannot go back to a deadlock condition and that by continuing to support Maffi they risk Romero's supporters returning to support him."

Cardinal Rinaldini   "I in turn will meet with our Italian Brethren and stress the impossibility of electing myself and my actual opposition to my own election.  It might harden the resolve of some to elect me but I will point out my age, my conservative values, and my desire to not elect a purely place holder Pope at this time of crisis.  Hopefully this will convince at least a few more of them to become inspired in another direction."

Cardinal Volpe "Agreed, lets finish a quick bite of lunch and see if we can perhaps perform in our own small fashion to perform a miracle?"

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : Ah ! Cardinal von Stammler, I have been looking for you.

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : My dear von Bettinger, a pleasure to see you. How may I be of service.

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : I am rather curious as to your view of the voting. I myself am baffled. Support for Maffi was so strong, and it simply evaporated, as did Romeros. Volpe, Rinaldini and Rodriguez have all be active, do you think they are behind the Abbots rise? I barely know of the man.

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : The abbot has an impressive record, some time in the diplomatic service, like Rinaldini, a former Bishop of Rome who would certainly work to keep the Church here, as well as sooth the local politicians, and a Benedictine. Their order could be considered conservative, I suppose Rodriguez would appreciate that, as would the Protodeacon, Volpe.

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : I...I had not considered that. A former Bishop of Rome would make sense, he certainly would have the appropriate contacts. The Benedictine order has never appealed to me, to hidebound. I am not sure I would want a Pope that used to the Rule of Saint Benedict, not at all.

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : Unlike yourself I find some appeal to the Rule, and have admiration for those that follow it. There are times I find Chapter 6 particularly appealing,   Still, I do not feel called to the Abbot,  and a Pope used to Chapter 5 would trouble me.

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : Chapter 5? Chapter 6? There are 73 Chapters, you can't expect me to recall which one those are?

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : .... <smiles>

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : ...I see, that would be the Chapter addressing moderation in speech and encouraging silence?

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : As always my friend, I encourage you to vote for the person you feel truely suited to your faith and your church. If you have questions, seek the answers. 

"Another round", Cardinal Romero remarked.  "Obviously, not everybody in the moderate camp received the message."

"Pietro hasn't taken himself out of the running", Rodriguez observed.  "Perhaps he is still hopeful."

"Perhaps he needs to be reminded that there will be other opportunities for him", Romero said.

Rodriguez nodded.  "That may be.  Coffee?"

Sistine Chapel  Tuesday Afternoon February 7th 1913.
The politics following the morning vote were hectic and now it was time to count the Ballots.  The Last Cardinal had just finished the ancient ritual oath. "Testor Christum Dominum qui me judicaturus est me eligere quem secundum Deum judice eligi debere et quod idem in accessu præstabo"—"I call to witness the Lord Christ, Who will be my judge, that I am electing the one whom according to God I think ought to be elected", he then drops his ballot into the chalice from the Paten.

The Results of the Eighth Ballot were as follows

Felix Cardinal Romero	4
Louis Cardinal Billot	1
Aristitde Cardinal Rinaldini	3
Giacomo Cardinal Della Chiesa	3
Pietro Cardinal Maffi	2
Jakobus Cardinal Stammer	1
Desire-Joseph Cardinal Mercier	1
Diomede Cardinal Falcone	1
Abbot Ignatius Curiatius	43
Former Bishop of Rome

The results of vote were conclusive Abbot Ignatius Curiatius the former Bishop of Rome had been elected Pope.  But then a question arose for the first time in centuries the chosen Pope was not sitting sequestered within these walls.  How was he to be informed of the Cardinals choice and would he accept.   Obviously the conclave could not be broken until after Ignatius chose to accept the ballot but how to get him here to accept without breaking the conclave.  After a good hour of discussion and not so little of heated debate a coalition of Felix Cardinal Romero, Pietro Cardinal Maffi, Giacomo Cardinal Della Chiesa and Aristide Cardinal Rinaldini proposed a compromise.   The Cardinals would write a letter to the Abbot and have it delivered by The Marshal of the Conclave Prince Mario Chigi along with a few of the Bishops.  So a summons was quickly penned signed by Deans of all three Cardinal Orders and by Cardinal Della Volpe as the Camerlengo of the Holy See.   It was passed to Prince Chigi personally with careful instructions.   The Cardinals then broke for an early dinner to await the arrival of Abbot Curiatius.

Sistine Chapel Vatican City Rome – Some time after nightfall Tuesday February 7th 1913.

It was after dark when a small group of Automobiles pulled up outside one of the smaller delivery gates to the Vatican City.  Despite the precautions to maintain secrecy several dozen spectators had to be moved away before a group of men quickly entered the gate which was locked behind them.

The Cardinals had been waiting for several hours when finally the expected knock came on the door in the temporary wall leading to the Conclave   Francesco Cardinal Della Volpe went to the window in the door unlocked it and looked through.   Beyond the door was Marshal Chigi and the awaited for Ignatius Curiatius.   At a nod to Marshal Chigi Cardinal Della Volpe began to unlock his side of the door.   

Once the door was opened and Iganatius Curiatius had been ushered in and the door relocked from both sides Cardinal Della Volpe lead the unsuspecting Abbot to the Sistine Chapel. 

Abbot Ignatius Curiatius   "Excuse me My Lords, but why was my presence so necessary."

Serafino Cardinal Vannetelli Cardinal Dean approached Curiatius holding a number of ballots stung together by a thread.  "It's a simple matter my Lord, we simply wished to ask you if you would accept the nomination of this Conclave."

Abbot Ignatius Curiatius A shocked look on his face. "Me my lords but..." quickly gaining control of himself. "If it is the will of this conclave then Indeed I will accept the nomination."

Serafino Cardinal Vannetelli "Then under what name do you wish to be known?"

Ignatius Curiatius   Pauses thinking for but a moment. " I will be know henceforth as Gregory the 17th of that name."

As Pope Gregory XVII was lead away to be properly clothed, Serafino Cardinal Vannetelli went to the stove in the corner opened the grate and threw the ballots inside and this time unlike all the times before he added no straw.    

A few dozen minutes latter Pope Gregory XVII was lead back dressed in the white robes of the Pope.  The Cardinals then proceeded to give the First Obedience or Homage.  Pope Gregory then confirmed Francesco Cardinal Della Volpe as Camerlengo, and Cardinal Della Volpe then bestowed the ring of the Fisherman onto the finger of Pope Gregory the XVII.

And then as the Senior Cardinal Deacon present Cardinal Della Volpe had the honor to proceeded to the balcony from which a jubilation which even now after dark could be heard in St. Peters Square as the balcony opened confirming the sighting of white smoke.  He opened the  Balcony windows and stepped out into the night and onto the balcony.   Outside the crowd slowly quieted and when it was quiet Cardinal Della Volpe voice could be heard announcing in the ancient formula the new Pope.



Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:                           I announce to you a great joy:
Habemus Papam!                                                    We have a Pope!
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,      The most eminent and most reverend Lord,
Dominum Ignatius,                                                   Lord Ignatius,
Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Curiatius      Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Curiatius,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Gregory XVII.                    Who takes to himself the name of Gregory XVII.


The Crowd broke into cheers of Jubilation and the Bells of St Peters Basilica rang out across the City of Rome.

Yay!
And there was much rejoicing!

*Parties in Cartagena*

Cardinal Franz von Bettinger : whispers to von Stammler, well we shall see what sort of Pope Curiatius is after all. 

Cardinal Jakobus von Stammler : It is true I continue to worry that the Benedictine penchant for simplicity and obedience will not be conducive to healthy discussion and may further exacerbate divisions, but the selection of Curiatius has many blessings, comes with no taint of corruption, and will keep the Papacy in Rome.

elsewhere

Prinzregent Lugwig beamed from his balcony as the column of white smoke rose to the skies. Once again, there was a Pope in Rome. A devout man, this was deeply satisfying. Hastily, he departed for St. Peters Square in the hopes of hearing the announcement personally. The Prinzregent left it to his adjutant to arrange a date for him to pay his respects.

Bah! How many divisions does the Pope have...?!    ;)

Or better yet for us... How many Drednoughts does the Pope have...?    ;D

Quote from: Blooded on October 15, 2008, 01:11:37 PM


Bah! How many divisions does the Pope have...?!    ;)

Or better yet for us... How many Drednoughts does the Pope have...?    ;D

One?
http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=2041.msg22989#msg22989
;D

Announcement from the Vatican – December  31st 1913

The Vatican today announced the following appointments.
Archbishop Maria Salvador Y Barrera will be appointed Bishop Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.

Felix Cardinal Romero has been appointed to head a commission to investigate the expansion of the number of Diocese and Arch-diocese in the Western Hemisphere.  Of particular interest to the Vatican would be an increase in the number of Diocese in Columbia, Brazil, CSA, and the North American territories controlled by France and the UNK.

In addition the Pope Gregory XVII wished to announce the appointment of Aristide Cardinal Rinaldini as the Vatican Secretary of State.