In August of 1978, The Roman Catholic Church convened a conclave of 111 cardinals to elect a successor to Pope Paul VI. His papacy was largely uneventful in the wake of the exuberant and promising changes introduced by his predecessor, Pope John XXIII, during the Vatican II Council in the early 60’s. For example, since Vatican II, the Mass is said in English or the prevailing local vernacular. Many more progressive ideas that the universally popular Pope John envisioned for the future of the Church were shelved in the wake of his death in 1963. Subsequently, Paul VI maintained the status quo for nearly 15 relatively uneventful years.
By the mid-70’s, the Vatican Bank was embroiled in financial scandals throughout Europe. These scurrilous activities drove the plot in 1990’s Godfather III – when the Corleone family attempts to alleviate the Vatican Bank’s substantial debt. Later on, Michael confesses to killing Fredo to the Cardinal Lomberto who is subsequently elected Pope John Paul I (brilliantly portrayed by the late Raf Vallone). In reality, Pope Paul knew of the bank’s transgressions, but chose to look the other way. Historically, the Vatican’s hierarchy, often does.
On the fourth ballot of the conclave’s first day the Cardinalate elected Albino Cardinal Luciani – the affable and unconventional Patriarch of Venice. Cardinal Luciani had enjoyed a cordial working relationship with Pope Paul. Both were keenly aware of the culprits at the heart of the bank scandal. But now the new pope was anxious to rekindle the vision, vitality and promise of Vatican II. But he knew he first had to address the cancer from within. Accordingly, heads were going to roll. Luciani was well prepared and had the temerity to take action. His gregarious persona was warmly embraced. He soon became known as “Papa Gianpaulo” and “The Smiling Pope”.
But on the morning of September 28th – only 33 days after his election – Pope John Paul I was found dead from an “apparent” heart attack in his bedchamber. A proper autopsy, in fact, was never performed. The Church, incredulously, forbids an autopsy on a pontiff. His mortal body regarded as “sacred”. Perhaps somewhat “convenient" for anyone wishing to do a pope harm. Luciani’s body was quickly embalmed and eventually entombed within 3 coffins of various materials, like a Russian Matryoshka doll – one inside the other. Much of the Italian faithful didn’t “buy” any of this. Here was their new hero – and their new hope for a re-vitalization of the Church. Passing his body lying in repose in St. Peter’s Basilica, they chanted aloud and repeatedly; “Chi a fat quest a te? Chi a fat quest a te?” (“Who did this to you?”).
This is merely a “what if?” story, initially written as a screenplay, now existent in the form of a novella. It does not claim to prove who did what or to anybody. It’s simply intended to enlighten and entertain. Since this story was written more than 25 years ago, we’ve seen several popes come and go. And Pope Francis isn’t getting any younger. Who’ll succeed him?
To read The Seabird it in its entirety – contact me.
2026