“It would be my pleasure, Archbishop.”
6 November 1936
New York City
Pier 59
On the brisk morning of November 6, 1936, in the bustling metropolis of New York City, Pier 59 was abuzz with activity. Vatican Secretary of State Pacelli was preparing for his return trip aboard the majestic SS Conte di Savoia cruise liner back to Rome.
Chapter 39
7 November 1936
The Art of War
#17 According as circumstances are favorable,
one should modify one’s plans.
USA mission accomplished. My confidential discussions with the United States cardinals secured a second term for President Roosevelt. The election was a landslide victory.
President Roosevelt affirmed his isolationist stance and promised to keep America out of the conflict in Europe. He agreed to appoint a personal representative to the pope, thereby establishing a direct line of communication between the Vatican and the White House.
My whirlwind tour of America was a resounding success. The impact of my visit will be felt for generations to come. The United States of America is now yet another cog in the great mechanism we are creating that will secure the Vatican’s financial stability for centuries to come.
Secretary of State,
Archbishop Eugenio Pacelli
March 9, 2000
10:48 a.m.
Vatican Secret Archives
Mario found himself rooted to the spot, his eyes wide with shock as he delved into the journal entries detailing Pacelli’s meteoric rise to power within the hallowed halls of the Vatican. As he read about the Pacelli’s cunning manipulations and how he laid low many an unsuspecting victim in his path, a biblical proverb by King Solomon resounded in his mind:
My Child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say:
“Come and join us.
Let’s hide and kill someone!
Let’s ambush the innocent!
Let’s swallow them alive as the grave swallows its victims.
Though they are in the prime of life, they will go down into the pit of death.
And the loot we’ll get!
We’ll fill our houses with all kinds of things!
Come on, throw in your lot with us,
we’ll split our loot with you.”
Don’t go along with them, my child! Stay far away from their paths.
They rush to commit crimes.
They hurry to commit murder.
When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away. But not these people!
They set an ambush for themselves;
they booby-trap their own lives!
Such is the fate of all who are greedy for gain. It ends up robbing them of life.
Mario was haunted by the thought that FDR had unwittingly entrusted his fate to the archbishop; he had been taken in by his deceptive charm. How had a man as astute as Roosevelt fallen prey to Pacelli’s web of lies?
With a mind swirling with questions, Mario turned the page and continued his journey through Pacelli’s past life.
Chapter 40
8 November 1936
The Art of War
#2 Waging War
Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people’s fate,
the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.
I received word from my brother that the Rome-Berlin Axis has been formally declared, joining our two titan-nations together as allies. Francesco is pleased with this outcome, as am I.
Grandfather would be proud of our accomplishment. We have fulfilled the first step in the Council’s grand mission.
Well done, brother. We have set in motion what past generations could not.
Secretary of State,
Archbishop Eugenio Pacelli
Chapter 41
