Pope Joan
Scene 12
October 2 --
Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels
SETTING:
The Public Square of the Lateran.
AT RISE:
The PRIESTS and CARDINALS are all gathered. The PEOPLE OF ROME stand on
the sidelines. LOUIS and JOAN are downstage.
LOUIS
I did not mean for him to die.
JOAN
May God forgive you.
LOUIS
I would prefer that you did.
JOAN
Why? To ease your conscience as you elect your own pope?
LOUIS
Politics is a bloody business, Joan. Did you think you could swim in the
river and not get wet?
(HE crosses away from HER as the election scene begins.)
NICHOLAS
It is time once again, dear brothers, to open ourselves to the grace of
Our Lord and seek His guidance in the election of a new pope.
Nominations, gentlemen?
LOUIS
Cardinal John wishes to speak.
JOAN
Not at present. (to LOUIS) I promised I would vote for him,
not nominate him. If you negotiate, Louis, you must learn to finesse
the details.
LOUIS
I nominate Cardinal-Bishop Nicholas.
(more boos and hisses)
OLD CARDINAL
Unheard of! Only Cardinals may elect the pope.
LOUIS
Only Cardinals may vote for the pope. I merely placed his name before you.
NICHOLAS
A fine-but-salient point of Canon Law. And, as we are all at King Louis'
disposal, perhaps we may proceed with the vote straight away.
OLD CARDINAL
I cast my vote for Cardinal Nicholas.
SECOND CARDINAL
I cast my vote for Cardinal Nicholas. (JOAN steps forward.)
JOAN
I ... cast my vote for --
(LUCIUS interrupts.)
LUCIUS
I nominate Cardinal John.
(CROWD goes wild. Visible consternation among the
CARDINALS.)
JOAN
Lucius -- no!
LUCIUS
Your Graces, behold! Do any amongst you reveal the aura of selection
more clearly than Cardinal John? Have you not heard of his miraculous
ability to heal the sick? I have witnessed it with my own eyes!
Have you not seen how he carries Christ's word to the people and is
well-loved by them for it?
(Cries of "John! John! John!" come from the CROWD.)
Are there any among you fit to wear the crown of St. Peter save him? I tell you there is not!
(LUCIUS takes up the cry with the CROWD.)
NICHOLAS
(to LOUIS)
Call in your armies! This crowd will tear us to pieces!
JOAN
(to LOUIS)
Please, Louis -- stop this.
LOUIS
If only I could, Your Graces. But it seems your unwashed rabble have
spoken, Cardinal John.
NICHOLAS
But ... but ... my election --
LOUIS
My regrets, old man.
(NICHOLAS turns away stunned. LOUIS speaks to
the CROWD)
We wish it known that we will support the wishes of the Roman people.
OLD CARDINAL
Then, in the ancient way, let us proclaim the new pontiff by acclamation. All those in support of Cardinal-Priest John, make yourselves known.
(The CARDINALS voice THEIR support by joining the deafening
chant of JOHN's name.)
NICHOLAS
By Christ's Blood, it seems to be God's will that you stand here as the
chosen one. From this day forward, you will live separate and apart,
as no man can be your equal on this earth. All those who were your
friends now become your subjects-- or your enemies. John Anglicus,
do you accept election?
(JOAN turns upstage, makes eye contact with the HOLY GHOST, who
smiles. SHE turns and all is silent.)
Do you accept election?
JOAN
I accept.
ALL
HABEMUS PAPAM. HABEMUS PAPAM. ALLELUIA.
(End of Scene 12.)
(End of Act 1)
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The Original Version of this Scene