Eagle’s Glory

If Rome is the glorious world capital, then St. Peter's Basilica is undoubtedly the heart of this world capital.

Beginning in 1506, this church has been built for more than 100 years, during which generations of popes have spared no expense, making it the largest Catholic church in the world and an unparalleled masterpiece of art.

Raphael, Michelangelo, Sangallo... A series of great names are closely associated with this building, and the artistic treasures treasured inside the church are equally numerous.

It is no exaggeration to say that St. Peter's Basilica, together with its treasures, is the most splendid treasure trove in Christendom. If it exists in the world one day, the Catholic faith will endure forever; if one day it is destroyed, then Christendom will live forever. It is also tantamount to the end of the day prophesied in the Bible.

Outside St. Peter's Basilica, there is St. Peter's Square. This square has also been carefully constructed. It is as magnificent as St. Peter's Church, and its width is enough to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people attending the ceremony at the same time.

There are 4 columns with a total of 284 columns around the square, forming a semi-encircling situation in two rings, and on the columns are 140 statues of saints. In the center of the square is a huge column brought from Egypt during the Roman Empire.

At this time, the wide square was already full of people. Although there were not hundreds of thousands of people, it was already full of people, and everyone's eyes were focused on the majestic St. Peter's Basilica. on the steps.

Because today, the current Pope Leo XII of the Holy See will preside over a public sermon in this magnificent square.

Next to the columns are the Swiss Guards directly under the Pope. At this moment, they are patrolling everywhere in full armor to protect the safety of His Majesty the Pope.

According to ancient traditions, delegations of believers from all over Europe entered the venue one after another, and then they were arranged in different positions according to their parishes. Then, the whole audience began to sing hymns. These ancient and solemn odes, thousands of Thousands of people sing at the same time, enough to bring out the dazzling and sacred atmosphere.

In this splendid and sacred atmosphere, who can remember that the Holy See has never bid farewell to filth, blasphemy, betrayal and murder in the past thousand years?

In the midst of this incessant singing, the door of St. Peter's Church slowly opened, and then a group of people walked out of the church and stopped on the steps.

The appearance of this group of people immediately ushered in the cheers of the entire square, and the focus of the crowd's eyes was gathered on the person in the middle.

This is an old man in his sixties. He is wearing a robe and a small white cap on his head. He is half-bent at the waist, looking modest and gentle.

This person is naturally the protagonist of today's sermon - the current Pope Leo XII.

This unremarkable old man has experienced the whole **** era, witnessed the collapse and restoration of the Kingdom of France, and witnessed the life and death of many people.

Relying on countless struggles, he dealt with various opponents, and finally climbed to the top of the Christian world. Now, he has long been accustomed to all kinds of brilliant scenes, just facing all this with an indifferent expression, showing With the solemnity of a church leader.

The excitement of the live believers couldn't touch him at all, he just waved his hand indifferently, making the audience quiet.

Then he started his own sermon.

His voice was not loud, and the Pope was Italian. Of course, he also spoke Italian when he preached, and a large part of the people present did not understand it at all.

For these believers present, even if they don't understand it, it doesn't matter, because they are listening to the holy sound in the most sacred square, which is a glory that they will never forget for a lifetime.

While the Pope was preaching, in the corridor isolated by the columns, there was an old man listening to the Pope's words with cold eyes.

This old man was also a senior member of the church. He was the uncle of Emperor Napoleon, Joseph Fish, who was the cardinal of Lyon. After the fall of Napoleon's empire, he lived in seclusion in Rome for many years, no longer interested in world affairs. .

After his nephew escaped from Austria and began to work hard to restore the empire, the old man's once withered mind seemed to regain momentum, so he also began to secretly work for his nephew within the Holy See. In a sense, he has also become the unofficial representative of Agron in Rome.

Not long ago, Aigron personally came to the city of Rome, and then made a deal with the Roman Church - he offered a lot of treasure and a large amount of money to the Pope in exchange for his own approval from His Majesty the Pope.

Just two days ago, Cardinal Joseph Fish received news from Greece that Aigron fought consecutive victories in Greece and defeated the Turkish army in Lepanto, and then asked the cardinal to go inside the church in the letter. activities to urge the Pope to fulfill his promise.

Now, the time has come for the deal to pay off.

As the executor and overseer of the deal, Joseph Fish watched the sermon to see if the Pope kept his promise.

The Pope's first sermons were long and formula-like speeches. Ordinary believers may burst into tears when they heard them, but Cardinal Joseph Fish had already heard them countless times, so they were just ignored. He just kept quiet. Quietly waiting for the arrival of the "personal order" part of his nephew and grandson.

His patience was not in vain, and after a while, the Pope finally began to mention the recent fighting in Greece.

"—Christians who have enjoyed peace, don't forget the good times blessed by God, and don't forget that at this moment, too many Christians are suffering endlessly under the iron shoes of pagans.

The people of Greece have been fighting for years against pagan tyrants, and in these painful times they have suffered unimaginable suffering, and in order to punish them for their efforts to gain freedom, those tyrants' minions poured their most vicious and vicious acts upon them. revenge……

Although the Greek people have a little disagreement with us in doctrine and ritual, and we have quarreled about it throughout history, I ask all to remember that in the belief in the highest and the best, we have no differences, we They are lambs that belong to the same Lord, and we also bear the Lord's mercy and are bathed in the same divine grace... So their sufferings are our sufferings, and if the light of their freedom goes out, it is no different from the same Burning scars are left in our souls.

Fortunately, in the difficult struggle of the Greek people, there are too many righteous people from all over Europe who have devoted themselves to their cause without hesitation. These people could have enjoyed a peaceful and peaceful life, but for the sake of morality and the glory of the Lord, they resolutely took He took up his weapon and faced the tyrant and his minions. Even in the face of danger to his life, he never had the slightest fear or hesitation.

The most outstanding of these righteous men is now the 16-year-old Duke of Reichstedt. At his age, many people are still ignorant, or are still learning how to make themselves stand in the world; but the Duke is completely different , He found courage and determination, wisdom and perseverance in his devout faith. He brought his followers and with incomparable courage, he came to Greece to help the Christians there to fight for freedom.

His efforts were by no means in vain. During his advance, the Turks were losing ground, and no one could stand in their way. He defeated the enemy several times, and most recently, at Lepanto, he completely defeated the enemy. The siege of the Turks - history remembers this place for us, where our Christian ancestors smashed the Turks' fleet three hundred years ago and saved Europe from peril.

Yes, God is manifesting in the same place - how could a teenage boy accomplish these feats without God's blessing?

Duke Reichstedt was a devout warrior in Christendom. At this time, he fought single-handedly for the Greeks, who were also the people of God. All countries that believe in God should take him as a model—

And those Christian monarchs who are still hesitating, have they ever asked themselves? If a young man dares to do and can do these things, why do they linger?

God has revealed his will to every devout believer, and we must walk by the Lord..."

Under the watchful eyes of all, Pope Leo XII completed his sermon calmly, and then greeted the crowd with the same solemn demeanor.

However, there was a little commotion among the people in the square - those who understood were looking at each other, those who didn't understand or didn't understand were asking what happened to the people around them, why did His Majesty specifically say These.

Cardinal Joseph Fish, who was listening quietly not far away, felt heartfelt satisfaction.

He did not expect that His Majesty the Pope not only fulfilled his promise, but also spoke in such a high-profile manner, it was a bit like flattery.

It stands to reason that he didn't need to say this.

Cardinal Fish didn't know what was going on, but he knew that at least this situation was in his favor--in any case, the money Aegron spent was worth the money, and that was enough.

He thought for a while, then walked straight to the corridor next to the square, looking for Cardinal Vittorio Esposito.

This cardinal is the confidant of His Majesty the Pope and the middleman in this transaction. On the one hand, Cardinal Fish wants to thank him; Intend.

At this moment, Cardinal Vittorio Esposito is also trying to get rid of the entanglement of those around him.

The sermon just published by the Pope greatly shocked the other senior officials of the Holy See who attended the sermon. Of course, they wanted to hear the news from the Pope's confidant, or at least find out what happened.

"Can you tell me, how much did His Majesty the Pope charge?" a cardinal, with the most intimate smile, asked in the ear of Cardinal Esposito.

"It is all out of devotion to God." Cardinal Vittorio Esposito solemnly crossed and replied calmly, "His Majesty wishes to urge the Christian nations to work together to save the suffering Suffering Christians are in fire and water."

The cardinal on the opposite side didn't speak any more, just looked at him with "Do you think I'm stupid?"

And he obviously didn't want to explain to the other party any more, and left directly.

Indeed, only Cardinal Vittorio Esposito, a confidant of the Pope, knows why His Majesty the Pope speaks like this—

For the independent cause of the Greek people, the Pope is quite supportive in his heart. He very much hopes to see them expel the rule of the pagans and bathe under the glory of God again. After all, this also means the "achievement" of his generation of the Pope.

Therefore, at this time, he can use this young man as a positive teaching material, and he must be able to touch these Christian monarchs who are still intriguing.

Take a large sum of money and fulfill your wish by the way, the best of both worlds, of course, His Majesty the Pope is willing to do it, and it must be done properly.

Cardinal Vittorio Esposito came to the corridor in the church, and at this time, he happened to meet Cardinal Fish who came to look for him.

"Thank you for your help!" Joseph Fish had a smile on his face, which was already full of aging and wrinkles. "He will never forget your favor."

Cardinal Vittorio Esposito still did not change his style, but nodded reservedly.

"We are servants of the same master and should support each other."

"Yes, we are all acting for the glory of the Lord." Cardinal Fish held back his laughter, then replied equally solemnly.

He was satisfied enough - the only regret was that the Pope insisted on calling Aigron only "Duke of Reichstedt" and not King of Rome.

But this is understandable. After all, the title of King of Rome is really not welcomed by the church, and it is natural for the Pope to turn a blind eye to it...

"Your piety will definitely be rewarded by my lord." After speaking, Cardinal Fish looked at the cardinal with humility and enthusiasm, as if waiting for his bid.

However, the cardinal did not answer immediately, but kept looking at Cardinal Fish, as if weighing something.

"I have a nephew, who is just in his early 20s. He is a smart and ambitious young man." Cardinal Vittorio Esposito suddenly changed the subject, and then continued in a calm tone, "He hopes to have a big career, but like others of his age, he suffers from not having the opportunity to exert himself..."

Although the words of the cardinal sounded a bit mindless, it was a clear hint to the old man Joseph Fish who was also in the church.

—In Italy, when a cardinal says "I have a nephew" with such a solemn and inscrutable expression, he often means "I have an illegitimate child."

Therefore, his true meaning is also obvious - he hopes to let his illegitimate son get the "support" of Aegron.

This is indeed not a sky-high asking price, but a reasonable follow-up cooperation condition.

"The angel commanded me to say, Write, Blessed are all who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Cardinal Joseph Fish recited a passage of scriptures as a definite answer.

It was time to announce the good news to his nephew and grandson, so he withdrew with a contented expression and disappeared into the crowd.