Page 94 of Sacred Hearts

“Show me the communication logs,” he orders.

I pull out my tablet and display the records. “All official communications from the Pope have been routed through Cardinal Antonelli’s office for the past two weeks. None have come directly from His Holiness.”

Reichlin scrolls through the logs, his expression darkening. “And these men stationed outside the papal apartments?”

“Gianelli, Voss, and Brunner. They’ve never served on the papal detail before and are not part of the Swiss Guard. They report directly to Cardinal Visconti, not through our chain of command.”

The Colonel’s phone rings, interrupting our conversation. He answers curtly, his expression shifting from annoyance to shock as he listens.

“Repeat that,” he demands to the caller. “Under whose authority?”

I can only hear his side of the conversation, but his face grows increasingly pale.

“We will discuss this matter when you arrive. The Swiss Guard remains sovereign in security matters within Vatican City.” He ends the call and looks up at me, his composure visibly shaken.

“That was Commissario Rizzo of the Italian Polizia. They have arrest warrants for Cardinals Antonelli, Lombardi, and Visconti on charges of corruption, money laundering, and conspiracy.”

My heart pounds against my rib cage. “Sir?”

“The Italian authorities intend to execute these warrants regardless of diplomatic concerns. They have evidence linking the cardinals to organized crime through the Vatican Bank.”

He rises from his desk, pacing the small office. “Rizzo informed me they have been trying to contact the Pope directly but have beenblocked at every turn.”

“They’ve isolated His Holiness completely.”

“Captain, how long have you suspected this… coup?” His eyes bore into mine.

“Since the photographs were published, sir. I tried to maintain direct contact with His Holiness, but Cardinal Antonelli intervened. He claimed the Pope was in prayer and meditation, dealing with the scandal. I tried to tell you, but you were too absorbed by the supposed threats we received.”

Reichlin moves to the window, looking out at St. Peter’s Square where crowds have gathered daily since the news broke.

“I’ve served three Popes, Lombardi. I’ve weathered scandals, controversies, and threats. But never…” his voice falters, “never have I faced treachery from within the College of Cardinals on this scale.”

He turns back to me, his military bearing returning. “Show me the current security deployment.”

I bring up the digital map of Vatican City, highlighting the positions of all Swiss Guard personnel.

“Here, sir. Notice the concentration around the papal apartments. And here—” I point to several areas. “These men are positioned to control all access points to His Holiness, not to protect him.”

Reichlin studies the deployment, his experienced eye catching what others might miss. “This is not protection. This is imprisonment.”

His phone rings again. This time, his conversation is brief. When he hangs up, his face has hardened into resolve.

“The Italian government has provided additional evidence. Prime Minister Valentini has personally authorized the operation to arrest the cardinals, regardless of our stance on the matter.”

I stand straighter. “Your orders, sir?”

Colonel Reichlin looks at me, and for the first time in our years of service together, I see raw emotion in his eyes.

“I have failed in my duty, Captain. I allowed myself to be deceived by men I trusted and respected.” He takes a deep breath. “We will correct this immediately. Assemble our most trusted men. We’re going to restore proper protection to His Holiness.”

“And the cardinals, sir?”

“If the evidence warrants their arrest, we will not impede Italian justice.” He reaches for his ceremonial sword, a symbol rarely seen outside formal occasions. “The Swiss Guard serves the Pope, Captain. Not the Curia. I seem to have forgotten that momentarily.”

Within minutes, I’ve gathered sixty of our most loyal guards in the barracks. Colonel Reichlin addresses them directly, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of tradition.

“Men, we face an unprecedented situation. Elements within the Vatican have acted to isolate and effectively imprison His Holiness. This cannot stand. We will restore proper protection to Pope Pius and ensure his freedom within these walls.”

---