Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
XVII explained
Hadrian summons key cardinals and announces his plan to disperse the Vatican treasures, selling them to fund the 'Household of Christ' trust for Italy's poor.
What happens
Hadrian summons key cardinals and announces his plan to disperse the Vatican treasures, selling them to fund the 'Household of Christ' trust for Italy's poor. He also gifts moveable art to Rome, canonizes Dom Bosco and Dante, and publishes the 'Epistle to the Italians' addressing the Mafia. Meanwhile, the Catholic Hour attacks him, and Jerry Sant and Mrs. Crowe react to the scandal.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
Hadrian's decision to sell Vatican treasures challenges the Church's temporal power and provokes accusations of corruption from critics.
Religion and Hypocrisy
The Catholic Hour's attack and the cardinals' varied reactions highlight hypocrisy within the Church, while Hadrian's actions aim to reform its mission.
Class and Social Inequality
The 'Household of Christ' fund is explicitly designed to relieve poverty and provide for the poor, addressing class inequality.
Characters to notice
- Hadrian VII
Summons cardinals, announces dispersal of Vatican treasures, gifts art to Rome, canonizes Dom Bosco and Dante, publishes epistle.
- Cardinal Gentilotto
Expresses compassion and personal injury over the attack on the Pope.
- Cardinal Sterling
Appears locked-up and determined to be righteous.
- Cardinal Carvale
White with impatient indignation over the attack.
- George Semphill
Red with impatient indignation over the attack.
- Percy Van Kristen
Very sad, offers to stay and help Hadrian.
- Cardinal della Volta
Shows ordinary but sympathetic curiosity, tasked with overseeing the treasure dispersal.
- Jerry Sant
Sits up at Hotel Nike expecting Hadrian to flee, plans to admit him to Liblab Fellowship.
- Mrs. Crowe
Confronts Jerry Sant about the Catholic Hour attack, worried about George.
- Signor Panciera
Brings news of the Household of Christ scheme to the Queen-Regent and coordinates with Victor Emanuel.
- Signor Zanatello
Accompanies Panciera to the Quirinale and handles the King's response.
- Victor Emanuel
Responds to the scheme from Windsor Castle, pledges funds and nominates the Duke of Aosta as trustee.
- Empress Elena
Laughs at the King's retort about the thirteenth apostle.
Key passages
“By way of emphasizing the essential difference between the Church (a purely missionary association) and the World, He had determined to disperse the Vatican treasures.”
Hadrian decides to sell the Vatican treasures to highlight the Church's missionary role versus worldly wealth.
Explains the Pope's rationale for the controversial decision.
“The Liblab Fellowship congratulated itself on the possession of such a Fellowshipper as Sant. His diplomacy was thought cute.”
The Liblab Fellowship is pleased with Jerry Sant's clever handling of the situation.
Shows the political reaction to the scandal.
“I add a million: the Queen adds a million: the Prince of Naples adds a million: all sterling.”
Victor Emanuel pledges three million pounds sterling to the Household of Christ fund.
Highlights the King's generous support for Hadrian's scheme.
