Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
XVI explained
Hadrian, after a period of intense self-reflection and guilt over not loving his neighbor, confesses his sin of anger and receives absolution.
What happens
Hadrian, after a period of intense self-reflection and guilt over not loving his neighbor, confesses his sin of anger and receives absolution. Meanwhile, Jerry Sant, frustrated by the Pope's silence and his own waning influence, orchestrates a press attack via the Catholic Hour, publishing a scathing libel against Hadrian. The Pope reads the article, counts thirty-three deliberate lies, and resolves not to abdicate, though he is deeply shaken by the portrayal of himself as contemptible.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Self-Perception
Hadrian is tormented by the libel's portrayal of him as contemptible, questioning his own identity and struggling to reconcile it with the caricature.
Power and Corruption
Jerry Sant's manipulation of the press and Ragna's demand for abdication illustrate the corrupt use of power and the threat of media attacks.
Religion and Hypocrisy
Hadrian's confession and guilt over not loving his neighbor contrast with the hypocritical attacks from the Catholic Hour, which claims moral authority.
Characters to notice
- Hadrian VII
Struggles with guilt over his harshness, confesses his sin of anger, and later reads a libelous article about himself, resolving not to abdicate.
- Jerry Sant
Gnaws his moustache in frustration, feels ignored by the Pope, and writes a press attack against Hadrian to maintain his influence.
- Mariano Ragna
Brings the Catholic Hour article to Hadrian, taunts him, and demands abdication before storming out.
- Sir Iulo
Performs a mocking monkey-like gesture in the antechamber as Ragna leaves, provoking the cardinal's anger.
- Mrs. Crowe
Mentioned as wanting Jerry Sant elsewhere, but he compels her services through financial control.
Key passages
“He had not loved His neighbour. He had been hard, unkind, austere. He had cultivated His natural faculty for rubbing salt upon His neighbour’s rawest and most secret sore—salt in the shape of biting words, satire, sarcasm, corrosive irony, labels which adhered.”
Hadrian admits to himself that he failed to show love and kindness, instead using harsh words and mockery to wound others deeply.
This moment of self-criticism leads to his confession and penance.
“It was unanswerable because there are some things of which the merest whisper suffices to destroy—whose effect does not depend on truthfulness.”
The libel is devastating because even a hint of scandal can ruin a reputation, regardless of whether it is true.
Hadrian recognizes the power of slander and the impossibility of defending against it.
“He read the article on the 'Strange Career of the Pope' again and again, till His head swam with the horror of it. This was the worst thing which ever had happened to Him.”
Hadrian repeatedly reads the attack, becoming overwhelmed by the horror of the portrayal, which he considers the worst event of his life.
The psychological impact of the libel is severe, testing his resilience.