The Last Pope
The penultimate election had been contentious. Naturally. In the old days, the elections had been a fight. People died. Of course, times changed and so did the church. The process was established. More politics, fewer daggers. But then, times changed so much. Suddenly, there weren’t as many Catholics around, or any one of faith really.
The new and enlightened age. People lived the same as in every other age, but they thought themselves advanced.
So there were fewer and fewer Catholics. Ten years ago, all of them had been Cardinals. One by one they passed. Popes came and went. Rapid fire. They had three Johns in as many months.
Then there were two. The arguments they had lasted years. They needed a majority, and one would not give it to the other. There was a motion to enfranchise the only nun and make her a Cardinal.
That one failed. Tradition, even in the face of the end.
After five years, one of them gave up. He reasoned that his opponent was in worse health. He could wait. John LXVI was elected.
A day later he was buried.
One Cardinal was left. He won the election unanimously.
Michael Frutig 