I do not think that our good Cardinal properly appreciates the blessings of boredom.
I wouldn't be so sure. I am getting a "Bishop's Gambit" vibe from the Papal States these days. I imagine there are many "modernists" (atheists) and "theologians" (agnostics) around the Vatican, certainly it is clear that power over Italy is an inseparable part of the catechism while God is an optional extra at best. Once everyone accepts that you are looking for a national leader not a religious figure, even if there is a need to pretend otherwise at times, Libero starts looking more plausible.All we know is he's popular with the people, and the cardinals who meet him. Eminently practical, economically sound and has a long term plan for the future of the papal states.
Almost certainly not going to be elected pope, sadly. However, should certainly be the one running the show day to day.
I do not think that our good Cardinal properly appreciates the blessings of boredom.
I wouldn't be so sure. I am getting a "Bishop's Gambit" vibe from the Papal States these days. I imagine there are many "modernists" (atheists) and "theologians" (agnostics) around the Vatican, certainly it is clear that power over Italy is an inseparable part of the catechism while God is an optional extra at best. Once everyone accepts that you are looking for a national leader not a religious figure, even if there is a need to pretend otherwise at times, Libero starts looking more plausible.
I'd agree with @DensleyBlair that the Pope wouldn't get involved in the dirty details of the work that needs doing, but he has to set the direction and provide support against the doubtless considerable opposition to change. A Secretary of State is only as powerful as the support they have from the Pope and I'm sure Libero and his supporters know that well, if they want anything to really change they need the top job.
Cangiano is quite the piece of work. Opposes war only so long as it doesn't have any material benefit for him, then hopes to incite some liberal insurrection to give himself something to do. Brother cardinal indeed. What might Innocent possibly have in store for him back in Rome?
I cannot begin to imagine how much smugness is being generated by the world's protestants at this point, but it must be truly immense. It's not quite every allegation ever made about the Catholic Church being proved true, but it is close.
He's amoral, will abandon his principles if his boss asks and doesn't give a stuff about God, his flock or anyone not Italian. So I imagine Innocent wants to give him a medal of some kind and a promotion. Those are the core qualities the pope is looking for in his senior churchmen.
My money is on Secretary of State.
And yet, the mysterious and enticing libero emerges yet again. Is this our next pope? A problem for the establishment? Merely a very useful and popular lackey?
With Venice seemingly tamed, despite the apparently horrendous cost she to get it from the Papal States, things seem to be going well. Of course, having a great power with claims to Italian is nothing new...but having one that is Italian is a bit problematic. Austria and France's can be handled with clever diplomacy and simple real politik (as long as liberal nationalism is a thing, neither of them are holding any Italian population centres for very long). Sardinia on the other hand is a massive threat, and one that has natural allies with anyone who hates or has disdain for chatolicsm, the papacy, or even this current regime (bascially...everyone).
Going back I do wonder if Libero may prove to be a sort of intensely worldly Leo XIII, who recognises that there is a lot of dirty work to be done to drag the mechanisms of the Church into the modern world. But that doesn't entirely seem like the sort of thing a Pope necessarily need deal with, as opposed to an exceptional functionary. Maybe he's our secretary of state.
All we know is he's popular with the people, and the cardinals who meet him. Eminently practical, economically sound and has a long term plan for the future of the papal states.
Almost certainly not going to be elected pope, sadly. However, should certainly be the one running the show day to day.
I do not think that our good Cardinal properly appreciates the blessings of boredom.
I wouldn't be so sure. I am getting a "Bishop's Gambit" vibe from the Papal States these days. I imagine there are many "modernists" (atheists) and "theologians" (agnostics) around the Vatican, certainly it is clear that power over Italy is an inseparable part of the catechism while God is an optional extra at best. Once everyone accepts that you are looking for a national leader not a religious figure, even if there is a need to pretend otherwise at times, Libero starts looking more plausible.
I'd agree with @DensleyBlair that the Pope wouldn't get involved in the dirty details of the work that needs doing, but he has to set the direction and provide support against the doubtless considerable opposition to change. A Secretary of State is only as powerful as the support they have from the Pope and I'm sure Libero and his supporters know that well, if they want anything to really change they need the top job.
Catholicism when the good times were on and boring wasn't a pretty thing. Much better for everyone else that they have to struggle, at least a bit.
Hmm. Perhaps we can turn to a power greater than ourselves...constitutional law.
As you all know, the power of the papacy is split between to absolute authorities. The King of the Vatican, and the Pope of the Catholic Church. They have always been the same person, bound by the Holy See...but...what if we were to make it so one was head of state (absolute power over religion and final final say over everything else) and one was head of goverment (a slightly lesser king or Prince Bishop that ran day to day affairs).
It would require close cooperation, and invite lots of trouble, but it would mean you can elect an absolute monarch whos great and religion and wider appeal to the church as a whole, plus another one for actually getting Italy and keeping it.
Just an idle thought but...interesting?
That I haven't commented to praise this work before now is a sin; as my first act of penitence, I can inform you that you have won WritAAR of the Week!
Thank you very much! I hope you shall enjoy the next parts just as much!This is amazing so far. As both a vicky 2 fan and a staunch atheist I think this is hilarious.
The governor's mansion is not as extravagant as certain villas back in Rome,
I have been told that a certain professor of history in Kalamata, I believe his name is Grigorios Kanelotis, has called on his students and fellow citizens to resist our rule and refuse to work.
Martyrs are always dangerous, and I would prefer my hands to be free of blood.
I have decided to pass an ordinance that will force all native teachers to have a Papal observer be present at each lesson with the authority to interrupt it in case of seditious behaviors.
Despite all of these flaws, I was ready to approve this publication, with the obvious mitigation of rebellious undertones, but I had the foresight to look into the author and who should it be if not Professor Grigorios Kanelotis. I
He claimed that I was purposefully oppressing the Greek people
Martyrs are always dangerous
You call yourself a Catholic? Go medieval or go home!
I was going to pick up on this also. Bit rich coming from a Catholic…
Good riddance to Cardinal Aloisi. As much as one may write it off as 'provincial governor carrying out orders from home', he certainly seems to have enjoyed putting the boot in. May the Greeks avenge the memory of dear old Professor Kanelotis!
Of course the Catholic Church also knows that a miracle doesn't have to actually physically happen in order for a 'miraculous event' to occur. Look at St Denis for a comparable head-removal-martydrom.they also know how to deal with the BAD KIND of potential martyr easily enough. Kill em, just don't be dramatic about it so they have a chance to give a speech or perform a miracle or some shit.
There is nothing I can add to the above, Cardinal Aloisi was indeed "a repulsive twat"
I was going to say he wasn't even a 'good' Catholic, but at this point if you are a Cardinal it is kind of implied you are at least slightly evil if only by neglect and supporting the reg
Of course the Catholic Church also knows that a miracle doesn't have to actually physically happen in order for a 'miraculous event' to occur. Look at St Denis for a comparable head-removal-martydrom.
What a repulsive twat.
Huh. Now this hits home for me. Reminds me of a dear friend and my first AAR character. Hope nothing horrible happens to him.
You call yourself a Catholic? Go medieval or go home!
A strange blend of nazi and stalinist solutions there. Much better.
Ah, a cheeky old scamp!
Which we are. And then you cut his head off, which rather proves the point. So...Well done?
Excellent update, as ever.
He lasted for what, 8 years - that's not bad going actually for effectively a provincial governor.
And he had the sense to retire.
I was going to pick up on this also. Bit rich coming from a Catholic…
Good riddance to Cardinal Aloisi. As much as one may write it off as 'provincial governor carrying out orders from home', he certainly seems to have enjoyed putting the boot in. May the Greeks avenge the memory of dear old Professor Kanelotis!
Considering Catholic history, whilst they would indeed be wary of martyrs (since their own faith has a ton, and they did propaganda the shit out of them afterwards), they also know how to deal with the BAD KIND of potential martyr easily enough. Kill em, just don't be dramatic about it so they have a chance to give a speech or perform a miracle or some shit.
There is nothing I can add to the above, Cardinal Aloisi was indeed "a repulsive twat" and it is a tragedy he died peacefully at home and not in prison. I was going to say he wasn't even a 'good' Catholic, but at this point if you are a Cardinal it is kind of implied you are at least slightly evil if only by neglect and supporting the regime.
Of course the Catholic Church also knows that a miracle doesn't have to actually physically happen in order for a 'miraculous event' to occur. Look at St Denis for a comparable head-removal-martydrom.
Very good. The unrest is ... concerning to say the lest.
So the Greeks want independance. It could become a real problem for Rome and I'm not sure Aloisi was the perfect man to deal with it.
Terrible person, terrible at his job, and uninteresting to history. All round unpleasant.
Roman Catholic always ran a strange line between being 'good' religiously and being good at obeying the current pope.
Either way, he wasn't that great...
Or the many, many, many attempts of Amsterdam to get a Saint to do something miraculous in their city.