"Is that you, Gabriel?" asked the pope, eyes still closed.
“Yes, Holy Father.”
"Is everything over yet?"
Three bombs, three rockets-representing the Holy Trinity, Gabriel thought. A calculated insult to Christians.
“Yes, Holy Father. I think it"s over."
"Where"s Luigi?"
Gabriel looked at the rubble left at the platform and saw Donati stagger out of the smoke, carrying the body of a Cardinal.
“He is still alive, Holy Father.”
The pope closed his eyes and whispered. "Thank God".
Gabriel felt a hand grasp his shoulder. He turned to see four people in blue uniforms, guns in hand. “Let go of the Pope,” one shouted. “We will protect the Pope from now on.”
Gabriel looked at the man for a moment and then shook his head. “I will protect him,” he said. Then he rose to help the Pope into th
