The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 79: Blessings and Lights Will Last Forever
On New Year's Eve, Pope Sergius VI, who was nearly 90 years old, finally could not survive the winter and passed away suddenly in the papal residence in the Apostolic Palace.

Although it was very sudden, the Vatican had already prepared for the old Pope's departure. After all, he was old. It was just that no one expected it to happen on such a special day.

The funeral bells of the Holy City Cathedral continued to ring for half an hour, and the Pope's funeral was quickly arranged.

Church messengers with white wings kept flying out of the holy city, spreading the mournful news to all parts of the continent.

Without time to change his dress, Eric followed the saint and hurried to the Apostolic Palace.

In the Pope's residence, dozens of cardinals arrived one after another, gathered around His Holiness the Pope's couch, and prayed silently.

The liturgical monks of the Cathedral of the Holy City are cleaning and dressing the Pope's body.

The saint was in tears, but she didn't dare to disturb him and just mourned silently.

Dressed in a white robe, a red stole symbolizing martyrdom, and a white woolen sash symbolizing pastoral ministry, the Pope's body was transferred to the Cathedral of the Holy City and divine intervention was performed to ensure its incorruptibility for a period of time.

At the same time, the inner city of the Holy City will be open to believers to pay homage to the Pope's remains for seven days - the Pope will be buried seven days later.

The College of Cardinals, including the Saint, were the first to bid farewell to the Pope.

The old Pope was lying on a platform decorated with white flowers in the middle of the church. His white hair and beard were neatly groomed and his face was peaceful. He looked as if he was just asleep.

Following the saint, Eric came to the Pope's body, mourned and bid farewell, and finally kissed the prophetic ring on his hand that represented the Pope's authority.

The body will be buried on the seventh day, and there will be a more solemn ceremony on that day. All clergymen at the bishop level will participate, and leaders of various countries within the scope of the Yela faith will also send representatives to attend, or go to the holy city in person.

After coming out of the cathedral and returning to the Palace of the Saint, the Saint was listless and depressed.

At times like this, Eric could only stay by her side.

The old Pope has been in office for more than 30 years. He is pious and gentle. When he was still a cardinal, he had already formed a deep friendship with the saint.

What really made the saint sad was not the departure of a church leader, but the sudden departure of an old friend.

"I wanted to visit His Majesty at the Apostolic Palace yesterday, but I wasn't feeling very energetic, so I postponed it until today. I woke up feeling dizzy this morning, so I decided to lie down for a while and go over this afternoon..."

After not seeing each other for a few days, it became a farewell forever. The saint regretted and felt sad for her delay.

"I heard that His Majesty's health has been poor since winter, and he's been suffering from a persistent illness. Now that he's returned to the Kingdom of God, it's a relief." Eric could only offer this consolation. "Your Majesty has found eternal happiness."

Although the old Pope was very kind and gentle to him, they had very few opportunities to spend time together, so he did not have any deep feelings for him.

He had also long been aware that the Pope's departure in the next few years was inevitable.

The Pope Eric first knew in "The Crown of Thorns" was not Sergius VI. He just didn't know who would die first, the old Pope or the old saint.

And they all returned to the Kingdom of God before the demons moved south, which in a sense was a kind of luck.

The saint wiped her tears, nodded slowly, and said nothing. After a while, she patted the back of Eric's hand, indicating that she wanted to be alone for a while.

Eric bowed deeply, "Your Highness, I offer my condolences."

Back at the side house, Alena brought him a solemn black dress.

Looking at the dress, Eric was stunned for a moment and asked, "What does the Convent of the Holy Virgin need to do now that the Pope has passed away?"

"All holiday celebrations will be cancelled. We will wear black and recite passages from 'The Road to the Kingdom of God' and 'The Blessings of Eternal Light' daily in the monastery to mourn the Pope until his burial," Alena replied. "This is customary in all monasteries. Other arrangements will be made by the Saint."

"Then let's arrange it this way first." Eric said.

Alena lowered her head. "When His Highness and the Saint went to the Apostolic Palace, Sister Gabi had already made arrangements."

"Yeah."

Eric wasn't too surprised. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Just follow her for a few days. It might not be nice to say this, but it's a rare experience."

Alena looked at him, "Yes, Your Highness."

On the next day, Eric was sent by the grief-stricken saint to the Cathedral of the Holy City to attend the memorial service on her behalf.

He basically didn't need to do anything, just sit with the young cardinals of the College of Cardinals who were able to sit still - around fifty years old - and pray for the late Pope. And such prayers could also be done in the heart, in other words, just sit there and be in a daze, and no one would say anything.

In the spacious church hall, the cardinals sat in one corner, the Pope's body was in the middle, and in the aisles, groups of believers came to pay their respects and mourn, day and night.

Countless devout believers are flocking to Lesire, not only to pay homage to the old Pope, but also because this is an extremely rare opportunity to enter the holy city - ordinary believers are only allowed to enter the inner city during the old Pope's funeral and the day the new Pope is elected.

Xinmagu should be back soon...

Eric thought to himself as he watched the worshippers slowly flowing through the middle of the church.

The old Pope has returned to the Kingdom of God with his power and favor. The cardinals shouldn't make it difficult for him to see his teacher for the last time... right?

Eric looked at the young cardinals on his left and right. The old cardinals who really had the decision-making power were not present at this time.

"Your Highness Eric?"

A nearby cardinal misunderstood his gaze and looked over at him.

"It's okay." Eric nodded at him and looked away.

Just as he had to stay here until dark before returning to the monastery, the cardinals did the same. There was nothing else to do except stare blankly, so many cardinals gathered together in the name of praying together and whispered.

Eric had already noticed that the old cardinal next to him also wanted to chat with him to pass the time.

"Please accept my condolences, Your Highness, and take care of yourself."

"I'll pass it on."

When it got dark, a long line of believers continued to rush towards the Holy City Cathedral in the wind and snow.

Eric walked out of the church and said goodbye to the cardinals who had spoken to him one by one. After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered that today was the first day of the new year.

"This year is so sad..."

The square was also crowded with believers, and the silver-armored knights who protected the religion maintained order, preventing the place from falling into chaos.

Eric walked across the square and returned to the Palace of the Holy Virgin to eat something first.

He hasn't eaten for a day.

On the way back to the Saint's Abbey, he passed by the scripture hall, which was filled with nuns reciting scriptures. He glanced around casually, didn't see any familiar faces, and left.

"Your Highness."

Eric went to visit the saint, and looking at the frail old woman, he was genuinely worried about her physical condition.

"You're back." The Saint's voice was calm. "What time is it?"

"It's getting dark," Eric said.

"What's the situation outside now?"

"A lot of believers have come," Eric replied. "The square is full of people, and the procession to the cathedral never stops."

The Saint sighed, "Your Majesty has been on the throne for over thirty years, and countless believers have grown up under his teachings."

"Your Majesty preached the gospel, and now he has returned to the kingdom of God after his death. This is Yela's affirmation and gift of your glorious life." Eric consoled again, "Your Highness, don't be too sad."

The saint nodded, and there was a lot of relief in her eyes when she looked at him. Then she asked him some questions about what he saw and heard at the viewing party, and let him go to rest.

If she still couldn't get up tomorrow, Eric would still have to attend in her place.

Back at the side house, Alena had not come back yet. Eric fell on the bed and couldn't help thinking about a very important question.

Will he have the chance to meet Xinmagu who has returned to attend the funeral in these few days?

If he saw it, how would he persuade the high priest, who was currently shining with righteousness, not to walk down the dark path that would lead to destruction in the future?
(End of this chapter)