The Fox of France-Chapter 495: The Inauguration of Ireland (3)
In the days that followed, representatives from other countries also arrived at Port Carroll. Not only allies from France, such as the Republic of Northern Italy, the Dutch Republic, the Rhine Confederation, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Austrian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire sent delegates, but the Pope himself from the Holy See also came to Ireland to attend the Irish foundation ceremony.
For the Pope, the independence of Ireland signified an expansion of Catholicism in Europe. It was the first expansion in many years. Although the Pope himself did not contribute much to this achievement, being able to take part in it was significant.
Furthermore, the Russians, who had remained neutral until then, also sent observers and began to engage with the Irish, discussing the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations.
All the preparations and receptions kept the Irish Confederation extremely busy. They were not yet a fully functional government and lacked sufficient diplomatic personnel. Suddenly, so many representatives from friendly countries arrived, some even heads of state, which made the task of hosting them quite overwhelming for Russell.
Almost everyone in the Confederation who had been abroad or spoke a foreign language was mobilized as a reception official, but there was still a shortage of manpower. Many times, the people involved in the reception didn't even speak foreign languages, and their English, heavily accented with Irish, was barely understandable to some foreign guests, leading to many amusing incidents.
However, all the countries participating expressed understanding. Of course, some might have superficially understood, but once they returned to their rooms, they would sarcastically remark on how fitting it was for the Irish, who were known for growing potatoes.
On March 3, 1813, the day of the Irish foundation ceremony arrived. It was a bright, cloudless day. Our comrades from the Irish Confederation, under the leadership of Comrade President Russell, gathered at the podium.
The podium was set up in an open area near Battery No. 2, originally a rangefinding station belonging to the battery. Only minor adjustments were made: the rangefinding instruments were dismantled, and tables and chairs were arranged with a banner hanging above, serving as the makeshift podium.
This podium was quite modest compared to the grand venues used for major ceremonies in other countries, such as the Palace of Peace in France. However, President Russell believed that since Ireland was still a poor country and the money of the Irish people hard-earned, it was better to be frugal.
Thus, the foundation ceremony of Ireland was relatively simple. According to Carroll, it felt very much like the election of a village chief in a French rural area.
Joseph naturally was invited to the podium, sitting alongside Pope Pius VII.
"Ah, President Joseph, good to see you," smiled Pope Pius VII upon seeing Joseph, his face beaming with joy. "It's wonderful to meet you here. Truly, this is divine providence."
This was the first time Pope Pius VII had met Joseph, but he was well aware of Joseph's true status within the Bonaparte family. Not because a devout believer had confessed in the church, but because the Holy See now had significant economic dealings with the Bonaparte family.
Over several centuries, the Holy See had amassed considerable wealth. This wealth could not just sit idle; the best way to effectively manage it was through banking. However, Catholic doctrine prohibits earning money through lending. Thus, the Holy See could not run a bank itself.
But rules are rigid, while people are flexible. Just as the Knights Templar, a Catholic organization, managed to establish the world's first international bank. Although the Templars later became heretics, none of their charges included lending money.
In theory, the Templars did not lend money; they only collected rent. For example, they would lease a sum of money or property and then collect rent. Is there anything wrong with that? Absolutely not. Christ himself wouldn't say that collecting rent was wrong. If he had said so and his disciples had remembered it, Christianity would never have gained recognition from Rome, let alone become the state religion of Rome. At most, it could have remained a phantom, a ghost wandering over Europe.
After the fall of the Templars, the Holy See did not denounce renting property and collecting rent as a legitimate and legal means of wealth accumulation. Subsequently, several major banks that rose in Italy, especially those backed by the Medici family, had the Holy See's involvement.
After the rise of Roman banking, there were many dealings with the Holy See. The Holy See entrusted a significant amount of money and property to Roman banks, which paid rent or dividends to the Church as agreed annually. ʀÀ𝐍ốꞖĘʂ
Given the extensive economic interactions between the Church and Roman banking, the Holy See was quite familiar with the internal affairs of the Bonaparte family. They knew that although this man rarely made public appearances and had a much lower profile than his brothers, he was the real helmsman of
the family.
"Your Holiness, it is also an honor for me to see you. To be honest, I am surprised that you have come all this way in person. This is still technically a war zone. Who knows what dangers might still exist?" Joseph said.
"Ah, if the Caesar of the Roman Empire can come here, why can't an old priest like me?" laughed Pope Pius VII. "The Irish diocese has been fallen for a long time. Since the start of the independence war, the Holy See has stood with the Irish people in their quest for freedom, even sending priests to help. Now that the British heretics have been expelled, the diocese should be reestablished, so how could I not come to see it?"
The Irish are Catholics. But now, there are several factions within Catholicism. Not to mention, the French Church's version of Catholicism, which is considered heretical, and the Holy See dares not declare them heretics. This is truly... However, the people of the French Church are relatively honest and faithful, rarely spreading their version of the faith. But now, there is another more terrifying heresy under the guise of Catholicism—liberation theology!
Of course, most of the proponents of liberation theology have now gone to the Americas to build their "kingdom of heaven on earth." But Europe is not entirely free of their presence. Their teachings are very provocative, and if these individuals were to come to Ireland and seize the opportunity to cause trouble, it would be a real problem for the Holy See. So the Pope must urgently reintroduce authentic Catholicism.
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Furthermore, based on what the Pope had learned, the French and Irish had prepared an Irish Reconstruction Plan. Just by thinking about it, one could tell that there would be many opportunities to make money. Well, the Holy See does not love money, but having money is more conducive to spreading the Lord's gospel, isn't it? Not to mention, during Mass, if there's a little more of Christ's blood and body (represented by the bread broken and shared, and the wine), more people might come to receive blessings. But the Church cannot perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish; naturally, it's all about "sweet, sweet money."
So, meeting Joseph here was very fortunate for the Pope, and indeed, a significant reason he came so far was to discuss some important matters with Joseph.
However, this was not the time to discuss such things. So Joseph asked the Pope, "Your Holiness, which ship did you take to come here? Did you get seasick along the way?"
Pope Pius VII immediately understood Joseph's implication and smiled as he replied, "I came aboard a ship from Herd Shipping. I shouldn't be too picky, but the ship really wasn't very comfortable, especially for an old man like me."
Joseph responded, "Your Holiness, after things settle down here, why don't you take my ship, and we can return together?"
