Chapter 1702 - 1608: The Safest Holy See

Chapter 1702: Chapter 1608: The Safest Holy See

The rain on the Tiber River gradually stopped, and the sun eagerly peeked out, making even the air become clearer.

On the deck of the French steam frigate "Tunis," Major Luca immediately picked up the binoculars and looked toward the mouth of the river.

This was the only thing he could do at the moment.

Just as he thought he would have to wait another day in vain, a black smoke rose on the horizon of the sea and sky.

Immediately excited, he said to the staff officer, "Major Denibol and the others are back!"

The last message brought back by the messenger two days ago was that the marines had boarded a steam tugboat heading to Rome.

The fleet quickly moved and sailed toward Fiumicino Port to welcome Denibol and the others.

"God bless His Highness the Prince with peace and safety..." He was saying, when suddenly his eyes widened.

From the steam tugboat sailing out of the river mouth, the flag flying at the top displayed a pair of crossed keys and three golden crowns stacked together.

He was stunned for a few seconds, then turned to the Order Officer and said, "Signal the flags, confirm the identity of those two ships."

Half an hour later.

In the cabin of the narrow inland tugboat "Ostia," Major Luca cast his eyes over the disgraced cardinals, and his gaze finally fell on the Pope.

He never thought he would actually have a chance to perform a mission.

Yes, his mission here was to evacuate the Pope by sea after the unrest in Rome spiraled out of control.

Although Naples later intervened in the situation in Rome, he had not yet received orders to return to Toulon.

Yet the Pope suddenly appeared here.

Luca stepped forward, kneeled on one knee, and performed the motion of kissing the cross on the shoe surface of Pope Pius VI, then stood up and said, "So, Rome has already fallen into the hands of the rioters?"

The cardinals nodded silently.

Archbishop Alkaidi eagerly stepped forward and said, "Lieutenant Colonel, it is great that your fleet appeared here. Please stop those rioters; they may catch up at any time."

"Of course, but may I ask, where is the See planning to go?"

"Naples. It is the nearest safe place."

Luca subtly furrowed his brow, but he was thinking about his mission.

He bowed slightly to the Pope, revealing a sincere smile: "I think perhaps Naples is not the most suitable place."

He looked around the simple cabin: "Moreover, this small boat cannot undertake long sea voyages. My ship can escort the Holy Father to any place at any time."

Soon, Pope Pius VI and the cardinals boarded the "Tunis" frigate.

The sailors stood solemnly in formation, while the band played diligently with a solemn tune, welcoming the Pope aboard with a grand ceremony.

This was followed by a grand banquet.

However, the French Fleet remained anchored offshore, never heading toward Naples. Major Luca informed the Holy See that his warship needed to replenish coal, which would likely delay by one or two days.

Meanwhile, a small boat had already set sail with Luca’s report heading for Siena as the Pope boarded.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, Denibol returned to the fleet with Prince Charles.

"Thank God!" Luca whispered devoutly, as he quickly finished the second report to Paris.

Two days later.

The French diplomat stationed in Florence brought the Regent’s orders to the "Tunis."

More than twenty journalists accompanied him.

On the deck of the frigate, Pope Pius VI looked at the journalists craning their necks, as well as the honor guard from France, Milan, Genoa, and other countries, sighed helplessly, and then turned to signal to Chief Assistant Priest Panfilo alongside him.

Archbishop Panfilo stepped forward, unfolded the manuscript in his hand, and read:

"Pius VI, Bishop, Servant of God’s servants, sends greetings and the blessings of the See to all believers.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

"And when that city is shrouded in chaos and turmoil, we, as the representatives of Christ on earth, have the heavenly duty to preserve the continuity of the Church and Apostolic succession...

"Therefore, according to the Lord’s revelation and after discussion in the Sacred College of Bishops, we have decided to temporarily leave our city of Rome and retreat to France, awaiting the time when God shall show mercy..."

The manuscript was sent directly from France. Major Luca insisted on not allowing the Holy See to modify a single word.

Actually, Pope Pius VI did not want to go to France, but the ship’s only destination was the Port of Marseille.

And he had no way to disembark.

He turned, gazing into the endless sea, looking somewhat lost, as if he could see his future fate beneath the calm water surface.

...

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

"May God bless him."

Louis XVI stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, eyes fixed on the road leading to the Marble Courtyard, whispering prayers.

In recent days, worrying about Charles’ safety had made him lose weight.

Joseph initially did not want to tell the parents about Charles, but the fleet’s report by regulations had to be first archived by the Navy Department, making it difficult to keep it secret.

Queen Mary suddenly stood up from the sofa, with her brow furrowed, saying, "We can’t keep waiting like this. Let’s discuss with Joseph; best to send the Ravenna garrison to Rome to bring Charles back..."

Before she finished her sentence, Joseph pushed the door open and entered quickly, raising the documents from the Sharp Signal Tower with a loud voice, "Father, Mother, a Marine unit found him and brought him out.

"Now he is aboard the ’Valletta’ frigate returning to France."

"Oh, thank Almighty God!" Queen Mary felt a weakness in her feet and fell back onto the sofa, continuously crossing herself on her chest, tears flowing uncontrollably.

Louis XVI hurriedly turned to support his wife, then nervously asked Joseph, "He, is he hurt?"

"Yes, he is fine."

"That’s good, that’s good." Louis XVI also crossed himself.

The three were talking, and Eman came over, bowing, "Your Highness, Archbishop Talleyrand has arrived."

Joseph nodded, reassured his parents for a while, and then returned to his living room.

Talleyrand, seeing the Regent had returned, hurried forward to salute, "Your Highness, you called for me?"

Joseph nodded, signaling him to sit down, "Charles has been found and is on his way back to the country."

Talleyrand immediately stood up again, "Thank God for His protection."

Joseph simply explained the actions of Denibol and others, to which Talleyrand furrowed his brow, "This was too reckless. Luckily His Highness is safe, and they handled... not too badly."

Joseph interjected, "You must quickly notify Baron Muri Sana not to go to Rome."

Originally, he planned to send diplomats to Rome to privately negotiate with the Holy See to secretly bring Charles out of the city.

He picked up another report on the table and handed it to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, "And there’s another ’accident.’ The Pope fled Rome in panic, and our fleet happened to be at Fiumicino Port."