Joke for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMtBZOQ2G0&ab_channel=AlanForan
John Wick is a force of nature of an assassin, through the Wick trilogy so far he’s killed 299 people on camera. That is an absurd amount of murdering, and on his merry massacres he’s made more than a few friends and has some allies that have his back.
During John Wick 2, when John goes to Rome one of his contacts very nervously and pointedly asks if John was there to kill the pope, so clearly it isn’t out of the question in universe. What about in ours? If John Wick and his allies are transported to our world, with the Continental appearing in New York, could they manage the task of wiping the upper echelon of the church out? Assume they can’t just bomb the church or poison the communion, blood needs to be spilt.
Specifically, we’re talking about John after the end of the series, given time to recover and work his way back to peak form. His allies will include:
Charon, the Sommelier, and Winston, giving full access to the Continental and Winston’s contacts (assume Winston has the same level of moderate influence as in Wick’s world) as well as Charon in the field with him (Charon has been training John’s dog and it will get the same armor as Sofia’s dogs)
Sofia and her two attack dogs
Marcus in a sniper’s nest
The Bowery King will have his pigeons and network of homeless in Rome, acting as informants and agents to give support.
Cassian has decided to align with John and will accompany him in the field.
The Shinobi, Zero’s two top students who dueled John in Parabellum, and both spared and were spared by John, will also accompany John on his mission.
In the real world, in 2020, could John and his allies kill the Pope and the 135 Cardinals under 80 capable of convening a papal conclave? How would they fare?
Gasps and murmuring were heard from the crowd, as Pope Averardo II seemed to mistake the deaconess for a man. A veritable storm would rise, as Averardo would only double down on his choice in what could be considered a somersault into full-blown senility, calling into question other decisions Averardo had made in his old age. And yet, the Council seemed to reach an amicable conclusion: Adrielle's ordination was fine, but should not serve as precedent.
The Council, through weeks and months, would agree on the following topics:
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That communion under both kinds is unnecessary,
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That Transubstantiation is the proper interpretation,
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That the Filioque clause is not heresy, and the disagreement merely semantics (to the chagrin of some Catholic clergy, inciting a few French priests to refuse participating in the Council as protest),
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That Ecumenical Councils hold power over even the Papacy, where legitimate,
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That only the Pope should be able to call a Crusade, despite opposition from the Byzantine Emperor,
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That the Donation of Constantine is indeed a forgery, despite much opposition from Italian Clergy.
But of course, the topics where any form of agreement was reached, are not the interesting ones. The Council appears to be divided on the matters of Papal Primacy/Supremacy, whether Dueling is Honorable or not, and the legitimacy of "Cardinal-Nephews". It is in particular the question of Papal Primacy that has greatly divided the Council, to the point where many Catholic Clergy, particularly from Western Europe and some parts of Germany, have accused the Council and its hosts of malicious goals, asserting that Papal Primacy is a cornerstone of the Catholic faith, and to say otherwise should be considered nothing less than heresy. Many Cardinals have agreed with these accusations.
With Pope Averardo II approaching the end of his life, many candidates to Papacy have sprung up, and an equal many have asserted that Averardo's approval of Joaseph is only another act taken in senility, that said decision was not made by a sound mind. Indeed, opposition to Joaseph's stances has only grown as the Council has gone on. For the early Council, opposition to Joaseph primarily placed Archbishop Ahrus of Magdeburg as its candidate for Papacy, though Ahrus has failed to gain greater support beyond the staunch opposers of Joaseph.
In 1457, however, with Averardo only embarrassing himself when speaking, another candidate started
... keep reading on reddit ➡i.e. Lock them up & don't let them out until they've decided.
Pope Averardo II, his body weakened by disease but his mind still sharp, has finally joined the Lord in heaven in 1459.
With his death, the Papal Conclave will commence, and the Cardinals will elect a new Bishop of Rome.
The rumor is that Joasaph Kantakouzenos, after receiving Averardo's blessing, is a favorite, but with the Medici grip over the Papacy weakening, anything could happen.
(Plots and RP posts can affect the outcome of the Papal Conclave.)
Is there any information or anything related of papal conclaves that had to be done without all the priests due to something serious occurring in the world at the time (Plagues, wars, serious famines)
And in the case they don't have any backup plan, if hypothetically the current Pope dies today, how a pope would be chosen today with the Coronavirus pandemic going on?
Earlier this year, I released Conclave, a live action roleplaying game about the Papal Conclave of 1268. Full of historical research and exciting Pope Facts, and it's on sale for the rest of the year.
The PDF (normally $10) is on sale for $8 here.
The print book with PDF (normally $30) is on sale for $25 here.
From the Glory of Christendom page 35:
> ... Papal power [is] the only power on earth not subject to any check, control or veto from any source. Since that power belongs equally to every Pope, and applies to arrangements for Papal succession as well as to any other matter lying within the Pope's jurisdiction as head of the Church, canon law does not bind a Pope arranging for his succession. If he makes no changes in the existing procedures for choosing his successor, then those existing procedures govern; but he can change them in any way he wishes, up to the very moment of his death, and any changes he makes are just as authoritative as the procedures previously in effect. The electors, on the other hand - since 1061, the College of Cardinals - cannot change the procedures, for they have no authority to do so; they are bound by the will of the preceding Pope, or the last Pope to prescribe rules for a Papal election.
WC uses the example of P6 disallowing Cardinals above the age of 80 from voting in papal conclaves. That limitation stands forever or until some other Pope decides to change it.
Universi Dominici Gregis is the binding document when it comes to Papal elections.
> 79 Confirming the prescriptions of my Predecessors, I likewise forbid anyone, even if he is a Cardinal, during the Pope's lifetime and without having consulted him, to make plans concerning the election of his successor, or to promise votes, or to make decisions in this regard in private gatherings.
> 80 In the same way, I wish to confirm the provisions made by my Predecessors for the purpose of excluding any external interference in the election of the Supreme Pontiff. Therefore, in virtue of holy obedience and under pain of excommunication latae sententiae, I again forbid each and every Cardinal elector, present and future, as also the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and all other persons taking part in the preparation and carrying out of everything necessary for the election, to accept under any pretext whatsoever, from any civil authority whatsoever, the task of proposing the veto or the so-called exclusiva, even under the guise of a simple desire, or to reveal such either to the entire electoral body assembled together or to individual electors, in writing or by word of mouth, either directly and personally or indirect
... keep reading on reddit ➡With the fall of the Empire of Aslandia, the city of Roma had gone through a chaotic time. The Pope killed by the generals of Aslandia to prevent him from intervening on behalf of the Emperor's family and most of the college of cardinals either had to run for their lives or were killed off as well. Now however stability has returned to the city and La Corporación Ortega: Mediterráneo is taking the initiative for the foundation of a proper Patrimonium which will house the Holy See and will be located on Isla Cattolica, the same island which houses the HQ of La Corporación Ortega: Mediterráneo itself. La Corporación Ortega will be funding and aiding the construction of a proper sanctuary in the Patimonium. For the time being a rudimentary structure has been erected in the designated place for the Holy See to convene as required. However with the death of the last Pope and loss of communication during the period of time in which the Fall of Aslandia occured and therefore La Corporación Ortega: Mediterráneo is assisting the Holy See in reconnecting with all catholic bishoprics around the world to lay down once again the foundations of the sold institution that was in the past and not the Aslandian past but the past of the pre flood era. This is a call to all blessed catholics around the world to re establish the light that once was Christendom. The College of Cardinals have taken it upon themselves to elect the new Pope in presence of all archbishops and bishops from around the world who are being invited to attend the ceremony so that there can once again be a Bishop of Rome and the rest of the College may be filled as Cardinals are appointed by the Pope from among the Archbishops and Bishops.
This is a message from the remainder of the College of Cardinals who are inviting all archbishops and bishops of the world to attend the Papal Conclave which is due in November, 2154.
As of now, the invitation has been accepted by the following:
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Bishops from the three Ecclesiastical province in Bengaluru Hyderabadi Prasandhi.
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Bishops from the one Ecclesiastical province in the Havelock Corporation among which one bishop has refused and faces excommunication and expulsion.
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Bishops from the four Ecclesiastical province in the Great Lacustrine Republic, the endeavor being backed by the Government itself.
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Bishops from the three Ecclesiastical province in the Great Serene Republic of Goa, the endeavor being backed by the Governmen
The Pope has abdicated. The Vatican has been in a period of interregnum for 7 days. Cardinals from all over the world have made their way into the Sistine Chapel, and the doors have been locked. Outside, the world's Catholics, over a billion of them worldwide and thousands in Rome, eagerly wait. In San Marino, Papal Munich and Constantinople, authorities within the soon to be Papal controlled areas wait to see who God has chosen as his voice on earth, and more importantly their boss.
Inside the Sistine Chapel, the Cardinals are seated. The aged Protodeacon stands, and says a small speech.
"Brothers, we are gathered here because that fool Gregory is gone. I have faith that we will, no doubt, choose a better successor. Although, I can say without a doubt, they won't be trying to mend the schism!"
A small wave of laughter sweeps the room.
"So then brothers, you know the drill. Come to the altar, say the words, and offer your vote. Hopefully, this should only take a couple of weeks. I don't fancy an interregnum of years."
And so it began. The first few days of voting have revealed a few favourites among the cardinals. It's one of these candidates that will become Pope:
Fergus O'Sean, of Ireland
Though he has expressed no interest into ascending to the Papacy, many see him as one of the best voices the Church has to offer. Good at foreign relations, he is to credit for the scheme in which the Vatican has gotten some more territories under it's control. He's well liked, slightly more progressive, and definitely a people person, however his expressed unwillingness may diminish his chances, as some see that as being proof he will do little as the Pope.
Joaquim Maderos, of Brazil
Joaquim is an extremely charismatic man, with a long track record of charitable work in his native Brazil. Preferring to do things himself, he's often found at the frontline of his charity work in his country, helping those who need his help out. However, some of his views are a little extreme for some Cardinals, whilst others are simply jealous of his popularity.
Giyorgis Haile Meles
An Ethiopian, he was the top Catholic authority in Ethiopia before the country became a puppet-state of Egypt. He left the country, in what is sort of a self-exile, but at the same time the Egyptian authorities did nothing but encourage him to go. Now, the Bishop of Addis Ababa resides in the Vatican, usually holding his own symbolic services in the Abyssinian Church. He's a good man
... keep reading on reddit ➡Lock them in a room so they can't come out until they reach an agreement. Black smoke after every vote to signify no winner, white smoke to signify a success.
Edit: Sorry, not unanimous but 2/3 majority. I was mistaken.
