Chapter Nineteen

Rome, 1901

There are five doors by which one may gain access to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Holmes and I entered Christendom’s most sacred shrine through the front door, directly from the square. Although St. Peter’s can lay claim to being the largest church in the world, it is not the mother church of Rome. During our train ride through France, Cardinal Oreglia had informed me that distinction belongs to the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Immediately upon entering the church, one cannot help but be overwhelmed. Everything about the basilica is enormous, and as you stand inside and watch visitors walk toward the various statues along the walls, the people seem to shrink before your eyes, dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of the stone renderings.

I had always been impressed by the majesty of Westminster Abbey. As you might have surmised, I am particularly fond of the Poet’s Corner. By comparison though, St. Peter’s is far more impressive. The basilica covers nearly six acres and can accommodate some 60,000 people. It is also believed to house the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope, and a number of other pontiffs have been interred there as well.

Holmes is not particularly religious, nor am I, but I think we were both taken aback by the magnificence of the structure. With sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini and an array of lesser known artists, the church is also a popular tourist destination.

We had arrived very early for the noon mass, and I kept my promise to Sister Carmelita and paid a visit to the Pieta, which can be found in the first chapel on the right side of the transept.

I can say only that I was awestruck, and vowed that I would make a small pilgrimage to the basilica on my own.

After we were seated, I looked at Holmes and said, “Before we leave Rome, we must revisit this place. There is simply too much to take in during an abbreviated visit.” Looking around, I saw what seemed to be hundreds of statues of saints, bronze doors, mosaics, thrones - all constructed in praise of an unseen god.

“Agreed,” said Holmes. “A visit to St. Peter’s certainly does give one pause.”

At that moment, the bell rang to signal the start of mass. The pope entered and the congregation stood as one. Standing under the elaborate bronze Baldacchino di San Pietro, another work by Bernini erected to mark the location of the tomb of St. Peter, the pope began by intoning, “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et SpiritusSancti.”

Still in awe of the building and all it contained, I suddenly realized that despite the thousands of people in attendance, there was absolute silence, except for the voice of Pope Leo. Gazing around the massive structure, I was struck not only by the number of people that had managed to make their way into the church but by the look of absolute devotion on their faces as well.

Surrounded by priests concelebrating the mass and a veritable army of acolytes, the pope proceeded with the opening prayers. After Pope Leo had read the Gospel, we all sat, and he began his sermon.

What follows is a rather loose, but fairly accurate, translation, which Holmes provided me.

“In a world marked by constant flux and uncertainty, we are all plagued by endless doubts. While some of the questions that disturb us can be answered quite easily, others will require time if we are to resolve them properly.”

“While there is something to be said for acting precipitously upon occasion, we must remember that the problems that give us pause are perhaps best addressed after prayer and reflection.”

“Like you, I too have issues that beg for a quick resolution; however, I have learned that sudden reversals can lead to even greater difficulties than might have been imagined.”

Speaking deliberately and occasionally emphasizing individual words, the pope continued:

“Although the journey we are on can prove arduous, if we persevere and maintain our faith in Our Lord, there is no problem that we cannot solve.”

“The temptation on our part is always to ask God for a sign that we are making the correct choice. However, Our Lord did not give us free will so that we could turn to Him in times of turmoil. Rather, he endowed us with that most precious gift so that we might resolve our own problems, and by exercising reason and judgment show Him the glory of his creation.”

“Remember, resolving our problems is never easy, but it may be imperative. As a result, we may be forced to make choices that we find personally abhorrent but which are, nevertheless, necessary.”

“So, I ask you to pray for me as I grapple with my own temptations and difficulties, and know that I will keep you in my prayers as you deal with yours.”

The pope then finished celebrating mass, and as Holmes and I left, the church, I said, “I heard the word ‘resolve’ several times during the sermon. Did you and the pope use it to send a message to the blackmailers?”

“I am afraid that is exactly what we did, Watson. I have no doubt that if the extortionist were present in church, he heard what he wanted to hear. And if he did not attend, I am equally certain that one of his minions will make certain that he receives the news.”

“But why?” I asked. “Why the sermon?”

“The pope wants the cameos back in his possession as soon as possible. The thieves have been fairly slow in communicating with His Holiness. I think they understand that a sudden pronouncement - one way or the other - with regard to the Roman Question might give the appearance that His Holiness was coerced.”

Holmes continued, “Both Pope Leo and I agree that we must carry the fight to them. Thus far the pope has been allowed only to react. We believe that they must understand that making demands of the Holy See is something that should not be done cavalierly - if at all. They must also understand that by making such demands, they are opening themselves up to certain consequences.”

“The only way to do that is by establishing a line of communication in which both parties are equal partners.”

“And you expect them to try to contact the pope in the near future?” I asked.

“I would think they will be penning their next missive by day’s end, so that it can be posted tomorrow.”

“So that is why you had me involve Captain Tritini. You want eyes in the post offices to see who sends a letter to the pope so that you can follow them and learn their identity.”

“Would that it were that simple,” Holmes said. “No. I need Captain Tritini’s men in the post offices so that they do not mail a letter to His Holiness. From what you have told me, Tritini works in an office where loyalty is suspect. Perhaps it is even a commodity. Also, Watson, do you think I would turn over the most crucial portion of this investigation to someone that I have never met, and that you cannot vouch for totally? No, my friend. I have taken certain steps to assure that we will know of any communication to Pope Leo.”

“So then, how will this play out?”

Holmes then proceeded to explain what he expected to happen the next morning.

He finished by saying, “I may be wrong about the chain of events, but I pray that I am not.”