Pope Joan Page #7

I have distrusted this priest

from the very beginning.

If only I had not

listened to you!

I have to wonder, the entire evening

the Pope doesn't touch anything

but fruit and water. I was told he is

a lover of rich food and wine!

For years, his physician has barred

such pleasures.

- Sergius eats like a penitent.

- He doesn't behave like one.

Instead of bowing to my

power, he frightened

my soldiers with his

cheap trickery.

Preventing this would've been

a welcomed proof of your loyalty.

Not even the inner circle knew

of the scheme, my Lord.

We thought the work being done in the

Cathedral was merely strengthen the doors.

And from what we can glean the physician...

had a hand in this as well?

A medicast was behind this large plan?

I admit we underestimated him

and... his influence.

If he is so influential...

Then perhaps he should be made

to disappear.

Why chop off only a branch,

when we can fell the entire tree?

I see you were not exaggerating when

you called yourself ambitious.

I'm sure you understand... that I will

have to leave Rome as soon as possible.

Something, well, were to happen to

the Pope while I'm still in the city,

suspicion would fall on me and on every

successor I might support.

Not to mention it is costing me a fortune

to keep this worthless soldiers.

Given the upcoming election of a new Pope,

my money could be put to better use.

- The votes of the people can be expensive.

- My Lord.

I've heard that Lothair

is about to part Rome.

I'm no longer going to serve the Emperor.

Not now that I know you're alive.

You will lose Villaris!

Yes. But I have some good friends

outside the army who will stand by me.

and they need good men

to work for them.

We could start a life together, Johanna.

Sergius has asked me to

become Nomenclator.

I can do so much good at his side.

But you are in grave danger at his side.

If you are discovered you would be killed.

I've learned to accept that danger.

You are that attached to the Pope

that you will run at your risk.

I'm now attached to life as a man!

I'm independent, free to act and think

as I wish and I can be useful.

I have means here that other women

never dream of.

You want me to give all this up?

To live the confined existence of a wife,

tied to daily chores and duties?

I... I have no desire

to tie you to anything.

I would honor you

and care for you.

I have long cared for myself.

Forgive me. I love you.

But my place is here.

Even if I have to accept your decision,

damn...

you're in constant danger,

and I will not forsake you again.

Heavenly Father! Today the people

of Rome are gathered...

to choose a new Lord Pope.

According to law...

every Roman citizen, clergy and

laymen alike...

may raise his voice to tell us

what God has inspired in him.

I nominate Mercurius,

Bishop of Siena.

A wise man and a

devoted servant of the Church.

Mercurius is a candidate.

Romans! I submit the name of

Anastasius,

Bishop of Castellum,

son of noble Arsenius.

He will defend not only the

Christian faith,

but also the interests

of the Roman people.

Your interest, you mean!

Anastasius...

You've bought your Bishop with Aio!

The man is right! Anastasius

conspired with Aio!

Let me through!

The people need to hear this!

Anastasius is also a candidate.

Would anyone else like to

nominate a worthy contender?

I nominate myself!

I had brought the Pope a noble house.

I donated my property

to the Church!

- He had a knife! Did you see that?

- Do you see the danger you are in?

Whoever... would like to nominate

someone else? Come forward now!

No one? So there is these

two candidates!

Wait!

Romans, you know I have served

the Holy Throne for many years,

and I want only what is

good for Rome.

Anastasius! And surely his father too.

Their plan is working. Anastasius

is being elected Pope so to speak.

This is Rome, Johanna. Here...

inconvenient people get killed,

no matter how good or

powerful they are.

Then I must leave Rome?

I only want you to live, Johanna,

with or without me.

You deserve to be happy and

do good but...

for that you don't need to be in Rome.

You stay here, you will die.

If this is the true face of Rome,

I will go with you.

Once he is elected, Anastasius will

move against you immediately.

We must leave.

Through the will of the Almighty God

and the people of our holy city,

you have been elected our new Lord Pope

and Supreme Bishop of Rome!

Merciful God, is it truly your will...

That someone such as I should

sit in St. Peter's chair?

Or will your just wrath strike me down

the moment the Papal Crown

is placed on my head?

But then, why would you

have led me here?

Why would you have tolerated me

in your garden all these years?

Hold your hand over me Lord,

and I will be a faithful servant unto You.

Long live Johannes Anglicus,

by God decree, our Chief Bishop,

and Universal Pope.

Long live Johannes Anglicus,

by God decree,

our Chief Bishop, and Universal Pope.

Long live Johannes Anglicus,

by God decree,

our Chief Bishop, and Universal Pope.

Arighis.

Holiness.

May I too benefit from your experience,

your competence and your good heart,

as my Nomenclator?

- It would be an honor to serve you.

- Then it shall be.

From what I have heard I have you

to thank for this heavy burden.

Leave me alone for a moment

with the Count.

- You summoned me, Holiness?

- Will you ever forgive me?

The Almighty and I seem to be

in contest for the same woman.

Believe me, she wished she could

split herself in two.

Because I know I would have a

fulfilling life at your side.

But apparently, this is my calling.

Please, understand.

I will try.

All my life I have searched for God.

And now, I've found Him.

He's in the hope that people put in me.

He's in the good deed I can do for them.

When I'm doing God's will,

I can feel Him in my heart.

Anastasius will recover quickly

from his defeat.

Then he will do everything in his power

to trouble and depose you.

You know exactly what he is like.

Then stay with me, as Superista,

Captain of the Papal guard.

I'm stronger,

when I know you are near.

You're playing with fire, Johanna.

Johanna began her papacy

full of purpose and zeal,

and she was determined

to keep her promise.

She knew the suffering of the Roman

people better than anyone,

and she did all in her power

to alleviate it.

She sent physicians to the slums,

and decree that collections from

every third Sunday

were given to the poor houses.

Soon, the Romans named her

"Papa Populi"... the people's Pope.

But Johanna wanted to be more

than just a merciful Bishop of Rome.

After all, she was spiritual head

of the entire Christian Church.

She summoned all the bishops to

Rome for a Synod.

Many Church doctrines were reviewed

and reconsidered

and more resolutions passed

than ever before.

Thank you, you may go.

Thank you, Selestinus. I won't be

needing you any more tonight.

Merciful God!

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