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Act II 

Scene 1

            Storyteller

We must now turn our attention to Vatican City. Father Louis Paschal and his fellow cardinals have arrived for the conclave which will elect a successor to Pope Sixtus IV. Cardinal Bishop Paschal is the focus of the city. His good looks and charming manner make him a favorite among his peers and the masses.  

The facts of history are the Pope died one day before Father Paschal received the message urging him to come with haste to Rome. It is now Sunday the 29th, August, of the year of our lord fourteen hundred eighty-four. 

The burial of Pope Sixtus IV has taken place and the cardinals have gathered in the Pauline Chapel to assist at Mass with the Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Cibo. Wearing the crocea they receive communion from Cardinal Bishop Cibo and listen as he delivers an allocution on their duty to elect a most worthy successor to Sixtus. Following the Mass, they excuse themselves and assemble for the conclave in the Sistine Chapel. 

Each cardinal now votes in a secret ballot, or scrutinium, for their choice as pope. The election has gone smoothly as each bishop accepts his duty with reverence and humility. Cardinal Bishop Giuliano della Rovere is the last to cast a ballot. Let us listen intently to the proceedings. 

            Giuliano

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.)

            Giovanni

It is done. The revisores of Bishops della Rovere, Borgia, and Paschal will count the first ballot. 

            Storyteller

The three bishops take the chalice and start the counting of the ballots. It becomes evident very early who the next pope will be. At the finishing of the counting the tally is announced. 

            Rodrigo

The election is completed. Cardinal Bishop Louis Paschal has been chosen by the Lord and his peers as the next Holy See. Amen. 

            Giovanni

Father Louis Paschal, the Lord has directed his Church to select you as Holy Father. Are you willing and prepared to accept the Chair of Peter?

            Louis

With the utmost humility, I accept this anointing of the Lord.

(The Cardinals clap and shout “Amen”)

            Giovanni

Let the ballots be burned! Let the white smoke arise! Let the city and the whole Church rejoice in the Lord Jesus’ decision!!

(The ballots are taken from the room)

Now, Holy Father Louis Paschal, what name do you choose to be recognized by?

            Louis

The Lord Jesus came in my dreams and gave me a vision. Through a revelation he gave the next papal name to me. Though he did not reveal the man himself, He did tell me what the name should be.

            Giovanni

Then by that name you will be known. What name has He shown?

            Louis

Gaius!

            (The Cardinals murmur in surprise)

            Rodrigo

Gaius?!? This name is odd.

            Giovanni

It came from God.

            Louis

Not only the name, but in my slumber He disclosed the number.

            Giuliano

It is not to be the First?

            Rodrigo

There has never been a Pope Gaius. The name must be Gaius I.

            Giovanni

The papacy may choose whatever it desires. Holy Father what number has been revealed?

            Louis

Sixty-nine.

(The Cardinals murmur in surprise)

            Giovanni

The Holy See has spoken! Pope Gaius LXIX!! Bring the papal garments and let us do homage to the Holy Father!

            Tomas (bursting through the doors and interrupting the proceedings)

STOP!!! This man cannot be the pope!!!

            Giovanni

This man is the pope!

            Giuliano

Who is this that courts excommunication by desecrating this holy moment?!?

            Tomas

Please forgive me, Fathers, but I am Tomas de Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor of Castile. I come bearing the gravest of news.

            Rodrigo

With what authority do you speak?

            Tomas

His Holy Father Sixtus IV directed me to convene a tribunal in Spain, in the village of Sevilla. This is where disturbing facts have been uncovered.

            Rodrigo

Facts that show Pope Gaius LXIX should not be?

            Tomas

Facts that clearly show heresy!!

            Louis

I protest!! Torquemada has gone mad! The scent of power drives him to slander the Holy See!!

            Giovanni

It matters not what you have found. It matters not what you say. He is Pope Gaius LXIX and he has full jurisdiction.

            Tomas

This man you have elected pope is a man who loves men!!!

(The Cardinals bellow in surprise)

            Louis

Slander!!

            Rodrigo

Is there proof?

            Tomas

The inquisition produced a confession. A small band of men who love men has been found.

            Rodrigo

The Holy Father was one of these?

            Giovanni

It matters not! The Holy Father has been elected! The Lord has anointed! It cannot be reversed!!

            Tomas

Fathers, at least Judas got thirty pieces of silver for selling the Lord. Are you selling Him for free?

            Giovanni

You are not to address this conclave with such contempt!! Have you no shame?

            Louis

Please, Tomas do not make my first papal act the shackling of you to chains.

            Tomas

My apologies if my words are seen to dishonor. I will speak this way: My zealots, who are loyal to the Lord and the church, await for me on the outside. They are skilled with the sword and will not allow me any harm. They have embodied me to make this vow to you: If you announce this man who loves men to be Pope Sixtus successor, then the masses will see your Pope dragged in shackles before their very eyes!! My love for the Lord and His Church will allow me no recourse.

            Louis

You are threatening the Holy See!!! May the Lord strike you for such insolence!!

            Giovanni

Torquemada, your challenge has been noted. There is nothing more to do.

(Through the walls can be heard the cheering in the streets as white smoke ascends from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel)

Hear the crowd! It is public! The white smoke has been seen. A new pope has been elected.

            Rodrigo

But they do not know who that man is. We have time to hear Lord Torquemada’s charges and determine if they have merit.

            Louis

This I will not allow!

            Rodrigo

The Holy Father is not anxious of the truth, is He?

            Giovanni

He is the Holy See. His words are the Lord’s!

            Rodrigo

He is elected but I have not done obeisance.

            Giuliano

None have. Let Torquemada speak.

            Louis

Who here is without sin? Shall we expose all? Would we condemn Giovanni for the two wives he has had?

            Giovanni

That was before the calling of the Lord.

            Louis

And as for you, Rodrigo, what sins lurk in your closet? Shall we open the door and peer inside?

            Rodrigo

Shall the Holy Father come out of his closet?

            Louis

This I will not allow!!

            Giovanni

But Holy Father, I must confer, this dividing will split the Church. The love of the Lord must keep us from allowing such schism.

            Louis

This I will not allow!!!

            Tomas

Does the Holy Father recognize these names, Juan and Pierre?

(The Cardinals murmur and then come to a quiet hush)

They recognize one Louis Paschal. Indeed, they confessed intimate knowledge.

            Rodrigo

Does the Holy Father recognize these men?

            Louis

I recognize the names.

            Tomas

In their pain and anguish they confessed all! They were men who loved men and they said you were one of them.

            Louis

Lies.

            Tomas

But they know you well Father. They told things only a woman would know. 

            Louis

Lies.

            Tomas

In fact, their dying words were your name as they begged for mercy.

            Louis

Lies.

            Tomas

And then there is the matter of Alonso Montilleo.

            Louis

Alonso?!?

            Tomas

After seeing the torture of Juan and Pierre his fortitude was weaken. He did not last long before he told all.

            Louis

What have you done with Alonso?!?

            Tomas

What words can I use? He was a weak little man!

            Louis

Alonso is dead? You have killed Alonso?!? My beloved, Alonso?!? O my wretched soul!!

            Tomas

See how he mourns? His grief is not the norm. For I fear, he sheds a lover’s tear.

            Rodrigo

It is quite clear.

            Giuliano

It is quite queer.

          Giovanni

It deems necessary that we meet in private. Our Church is in crisis.

            Tomas (leaving)

I will take my leave. May the Lord move the Cardinal Bishops to protect His Church!

            Giovanni

The peace and innocence of the Church must be the foremost of our thoughts.

            Louis (trying to control his emotions)

We have a pope. It is Pope Gaius LXIX. 

            Rodrigo

You cannot be pope! You are a man who loves men!!            

           Louis

I am pope.

            Giuliano

You cannot be pope!!

            Louis

Let me explain! Give me a chance and I will make it plain!!

--Rock This Church!

      Rodrigo

♫ I close my ears, I close my eyes,

You’ll not betray me, you’ll never sway me,

With your alibis.

They’re only lies.

They’re only lies! ♫

            Giuliano

♫ What would God do? If we chose a man like you?

You’re not a man, a man like us,

You’re not a man that God can trust.

You’ve sold your soul, you slave for lust,

You’re not a man that God can trust. ♫

            Louis

♫ Give me a chance and I will confess,

The Lord will forgive and I’ll be blest! ♫

            Rodrigo & Giuliano

♫ We close our ears, we close our eyes,

You’ll not betray us, you’ll never sway us,

With your alibis.

They’re only lies.

They’re only lies! ♫

            Louis

♫ I beg ye brethren, leave me not in a lurch,

For I am a rock, the head of this Church! ♫

            Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

A rock?!? No!!!

♫ All you wanta do is rock this church!

We’ll turn our backs and leave you in a lurch,

Cause all you wanta do is rock this church. ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Rodrigo

♫ You’ve tried to blame others for the deeds you do,

Three men are dead and it’s all because of you.

You set your sights and then you made your plans,

But the Lord’s made it clear, you’re an evil man. ♫

          Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

♫ All you wanta do is rock this church!

We’ll turn our backs and leave you in a lurch,

Cause all you wanta do is rock this church. ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Giuliano

♫ Now you want mercy and you want us to sway,

Forget about the Lord and His righteous way.

We can only do what’s faithful and true,

Cause God is our leader and He’s not in you. ♫

          Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

♫ All you wanta do is rock this church!

We’ll turn our backs and leave you in a lurch,

Cause all you wanta do is rock this church. ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Louis

I must confess!!! It’s all true!! I will always love men, and that’s the truth!!

            Giovanni

It’s true?

            Louis

♫ I made my plan,

I took my stand.

You may leave me in a lurch,

But I’ve done research,

And all I wanta do is rock this church! ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Louis

♫ All I wanta do is rock this church! ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Giovanni

♫ Peter is the rock and you will never do,

The Lord has spoken and He says you are through.

We commence again, we will start our search,

Cause we cannot allow you to rock this church! ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

            Louis

Yes! I want to rock this Church!

            The Cardinals (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Louis

Shake it to its core.

            The Cardinals (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Louis

And what’s more.

            The Cardinals (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Louis

I’d bring it to its knees.

            The Cardinals (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Louis

That’s the only way for me!

            The Cardinals (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Rodrigo

♫ You’ll never rock this Church! ♫

            Louis (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Rodrigo & Giuliano

♫ You’ll never rock this Church! ♫

            Louis (softly)

♫ Rock this Church. ♫

            Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

♫ You’ll never rock this Church! ♫

            Louis (softly)

♫ Rock this Church.

            (louder)

Rock this Church! ♫ 

            Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

♫ All you wanta do is rock this church!

We’ll turn our backs and leave you in a lurch,

Cause all you wanta do is rock this church. ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ Rock this church! Rock this church! All you wanta do is rock this church!! ♫

  Louis

♫ All I wanta do is rock this church! ♫

            The Cardinals

♫ All you wanta do is rock—this—church!

Rock this church!! ♫

            Rodrigo, Giuliano, & Giovanni

♫ What would God do? If we chose a man like you?

You’re not a man, a man like us,

You’re not a man that God can trust.

You’ve sold your soul, you slave for lust,

You’re not a man that God can trust. ♫

            Giovanni

Tell me dear friend, what was your plan?

            Louis

To share the Lord’s love with everyman.            

            Giovanni

Even with men who love men?

            Louis

Yes, for I am one of them.

            Giuliano

Just like a Greek!

            Rodrigo

Just like a freak!!

            Giuliano

I propose a quasi-inspiratio!

            Louis

I am pope!

            Giovanni

Louis, you cannot be pope.

            Louis

Please, Father, I am pope.

            Giovanni

No, Louis. Do not continue. It will cost you your life.

            Rodrigo

You must rescind.

            Giovanni

You must, Louis.

            Louis (with tears)

I rescind.

            Giuliano

A quasi-inspiratio. Ego eligo (I elect) Cardinal Bishop Giovanni Battista Cibo!!

            Giovanni

Me?!?

            Giuliano

Yes, Father. Once again, I say ego eligo Cardinal Bishop Giovanni Battista Cibo!

            The Cardinals

Ego eligo Cardinal Bishop Giovanni Battista Cibo!!

            Giuliano

It is done! Father Cibo you are our Holy Father.

            Rodrigo

Father Giovanni Battista Cibo the Lord has directed his Church to select you as Holy Father. Are you willing and prepared to accept the Chair of Peter?

            Giovanni

Louis, what are your thoughts?

            Louis

Take the chair, Father. I believe you are innocent of any wrongs.

            Giovanni

Then humbly I accept.

            Giuliano

Now, you must select a name.             

            Giovanni

There can only be one. Innocent. I take thee name.

            Giuliano

Your name shall be. Brethren may we give homage to our Holy Father, Pope Innocent VIII.

            Rodrigo

Before we do, Father Paschal must be removed.

            Giovanni

No! He remains one of us.

            Rodrigo

Holy Father! He cannot remain one of us.

            Giovanni

Louis, are you willing to return to Sevilla and lead a quiet and decent life?

            Louis

A quiet life is all there can be. Without Alonso there is no other for me.

            Rodrigo

Holy Father, I protest!

            Giovanni

Am I pope?

            Rodrigo

Yes, Holy Father.

            Giovanni

Will you abide by my wishes?

            Rodrigo

Yes, Holy Father.

            Giovanni

Louis, if you return to Sevilla and remain quiet there will be no repercussions. Or you can stay here and face Torquemada and his men.

            Louis

I will do as the Holy See says.

            Giuliano

Then it is done! Everyone to the balcony over the Piazza! We must announce to the world, Pope Innocent VIII!!!

            Rodrigo (an ominous aside to Louis)

Watch yourself, Louis. Pope Innocent lives not forever.

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