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Robert Francis Prevost, Bob – no scratch that – His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is not just the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, but also came from a powerful lineage of clergymen granted with supernatural powers and abilities to protect humankind from the occult and demonic. Thanks to the missionary heart he has, he was given the power of healing illnesses. He might not be able to resurrect people from the dead yet, but he has healed numerous lives ranging from fevers to cancers.
But when he was elected as the Pope, Bob made the decision to suppress his powers as a sacrifice to the Lord. Deep within him, he hoped he would never use it again to avoid any potential scandal, but never knew he would need to use it once more and to whom he would use it.
It’s an understatement that Cardinal Chito Tagle was bone-tired and drained. He just came back to Rome after an intense two-week working vacation back in the Philippines. After distributing small gifts to the residents of Pontifficio Collegio Filipino and arranging his new clothes in the closet, he heard a knock on his door.
“Cardinal? Your Eminence? May nagpadala po sa inyo.” (Cardinal? Your Eminence? There’s a delivery for you.
Chito opens his door and to his surprise, his private secretary Fr. Kali was carrying a small basket filled to the brim with apples, oranges and grapes, alongside a bottle of red wine.
“Oh, kanino galing yan?” (Oh, where did these come from?)
“Pinadala lang po ng courier, galing daw pong Vatican. May card din po sa loob ng basket.” (It was just delivered by the courier from the Vatican. There’s a card inside the basket.)
Chito delightfully took all the gifts, thanking his secretary for receiving them. He then placed these on his study table, taking his phone out to take pictures and admire the gifts. Noticing the card, he took it out and the following words greeted him.
“Welcome home, my most beloved. I’ve missed you. - R”
Chito’s heart flutters as he stares at the handwriting. He and Robert are secretly together as a couple for many years, even before the Holy Spirit brought Robert to the papacy. Despite the now changing dynamics thanks to their positions, the two’s steadfast love remains strong and they would clandestinely meet for nights of passion in the secluded halls of Villa Barberini. Chito smiles as he’s reminded that he and Bob would go there next week to spend the summer together.
Feeling a grumble in his stomach, Chito set his eyes on the apple on top of the basket. It was gleaming, seemingly calling his name. No longer resisting the urge, he immediately took it and took a huge bite. It was sweet and filled with so much juice some of it dripped down his chin, delighting and refreshing him from the long trip back home.
However, the euphoria didn’t last as Chito felt a sudden burning sensation down his throat as he swallowed. It’s as if someone was pouring burning gasoline down his throat while being strangled. He could no longer breathe, he tried screaming but nothing came out. Collapsing to the floor, Chito frantically crawled to his door using whatever strength he had left. His vision slowly tunneled as his heartbeat became slower. It was too late, he’s spent and finally lets the darkness swallow him as he lies on the cold wooden floor.
At around 7:00PM, Chito was supposed to give a short recollection to pilgrims from Manila. But concern grew in Fr. Kali when Chito didn’t come out of his room ten minutes before to prepare as he usually does. His secretary ran to his room, desperately trying to keep his composure.
“Cardinal? Cardinal Chito? Nandito na po yung mga pilgrims, nasa chapel na po.” (Cardinal, Cardinal Chito? The pilgrims are at the chapel already.”)
No response. Panic and fear finally swallowed his secretary, manifesting in the frantic knocks he’s making at the door. He tried turning the knob, but it was locked.
“Cardinal, Cardinal Chito?? Cardinal Chito!! Sister, pakuha ng susi sa kwarto! Ngayon na!” (Cardinal, Cardinal Chito?? Cardinal Chito!! Sister, get the keys to his room! Quickly!)
Once his secretary received the keys, the door opened for them to witness a horrific scene: Cardinal Chito slumped on the floor face down, with foam coming out of his mouth. An apple laid near his leg, with the massive bite mark slowly turning brown.
He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but it was too late as he was declared dead on arrival due to possible fatal poisoning. The police were immediately called and they began an autopsy on Chito due to the suspicious circumstances behind his passing. Thankfully, the Pontifficio priests are on their summer break so the news was contained for the time being. Fr. Kali also made calls to Chito’s brother in the Philippines and Bob as well.
Bob was still in his private office late at night revising his homily for Sunday’s mass when out of nowhere, he heard glass crashing to the floor. Startled, he ran towards their living room where the noise came from.
Edgard was there, holding his phone with his face ashen and devoid of any color. On the floor near his foot, a shattered red wine glass.
“Edgard, what’s going on? Are you alright?”
“Padre, it’s Cardinal Chito. He passed away just now. Doctors said he was possibly poisoned. But an autopsy is being done to determine the cause of death.”
“No. That’s a cruel joke, stop pranking.”
“It’s his secretary, Fr. Kali who called. I’m sorry.”
“But he just sent me a text message that his plane safely landed. He should be fine—-“
“Padre—-“
“Stop this once Edgard. Where’s my phone??”
“The police are with Fr. Ka—-“
“Where’s my bloody phone!”
Fr. Edgard trembled as Bob frantically called Chito’s number but it always led to his voicemail. Silence, dread and denial all filled the air. Maybe Chito’s asleep thanks to jetlag, but he’s alive, he’s alive, he must be alive. Chito does have detractors, but surely none that would want him dead in a coffin. He asked Edgard for Fr. Kali’s number, angrily typing.
“Buona—-buonasera?”
“Padre, this is Robert Prevost—-Leo XIV.”
“Holy Father????”
“Fr. Kali, this is Mons. Edgard.”
“Your Holiness! Santo Padre. Oh my…why have you called?”
“Chito’s not answering his calls. Can you give it to him? Say it’s the Pope, urgent.”
“I’m very sorry, Your Holiness but Cardinal Tagle di—-died. We’re still at the hospital waiting for the autopsy to end. He was dead on ar—arrival. We don’t know what exactly happened, but we just saw him lying on the floor unconscious. We—we’ll send the—the police report once given to us.”
Silence filled the air, everything turned black as if someone gunned down the sun. Chito was the light that Bob relied on, the comfort he runs to and the love that strengthens him. And now he is gone. Bob was lost. Devastation was an understatement for his own soul died with Chito as well.
“Holy Father?”
“Thank you Father. Please, call Edgard immediately when his remains are laid. We want to go there soon as possible.”
“I will. I’m so sorry for our loss.”
Bob cut the call. He just stared into the abyss, utterly blank and void of any emotion. He dropped his phone and fell to his knees, thankfully Edgard was able to catch him.
“No, no…this is not real. Please…please…Chito…mi vida, mi alma, my world. No…”
Finally, the tears he held back flowed like heavy rain as he latched to Edgard for support. His young secretary’s hand slowly glowed pale yellow light as he held onto him.
Cardinal Chito was brought back to the Pontifficio the next morning, now lying in a sealed wooden, lead-lined coffin. He was brought to the chapel where the Rector, Fr. Greg held mass in Chito’s honor.
By noon, Bob and Edgard discreetly came in their regular clothes so as to not bring unnecessary attention. They were greeted by Fr. Greg in the library, informing them that the chapel is empty so Bob can properly grieve. Fr. Greg pulled Edgard to a secluded corner when Bob excused himself to the restroom first.
“Fr. Edgard, there’s something you should know.”
“What is it?”
“I believe Cardinal Chito’s still alive. But he’s seemingly cursed to fall into death-like sleep.”
“What?”
“I saw a vision when his coffin was brought into the chapel. He’s surrounded in this thick, dark aura as if it's guarding him.”
“No, who would—-“
“Edgard? Father?”
Their conversation was cut short when Robert came back, carrying a small bouquet of white roses, Chito’s favourite flowers.
“Can we go inside?”
“Certainly Holy Father. I’ll carry those flowers for you.”
“No need.”
The three entered the small chapel, where at the foot of the altar, a wooden coffin was laid. It was flocked by a cathedral candle on each corner. At the center was Chito’s framed portrait surrounded by flowers, with the Book of Gospels opened behind it.
Anxiety immediately attacked Edgard as he entered the space. Fr. Greg was right, the aura was right above Chito’s coffin as if taunting them. His hands immediately emanated blue light, he wanted to banish the beast now to end Bob’s suffering. But Fr. Greg, who also had the same powers as his, took his hands signalling him to restrain since this is the first time they encountered the beast.
Robert then moved forward to the altar, placing the white roses in front of Chito’s portrait. He then knelt and placed a tender kiss on the foot of the coffin. That’s when it finally hit, his most beloved is truly gone, now a cold body inside a coffin. He began shaking as the tears fell, while his memories of his beloved flashed before his eyes.
Edgard quietly cried at the pews as Fr. Greg comforted him. Seeing his father figure in this awful state broke him, and he has vowed to bring Chito back even if it costs his own life. His thoughts were interrupted when Robert turned to them.
“Fr. Greg?”
“Santo Padre?”
“Please, I want to see Chito. Why is his coffin sealed?”
“Santo Padre, your heart will not take seeing the Cardinal’s current state—-“
“Pope’s orders.”
Fr. Greg conceded and took the Holy Father above the coffin. Removing the Book of Gospels, it revealed a secret sliding compartment. The Filipino priest gestured to Edgard to hold Bob as he slid the compartment to reveal a glass panel. Below it was the corpse of Chito wearing his red vestments, but his lips are now blue and his radiant skin is now gray. His then plump cheeks are now hollowed, making his bones prominent.
Bob was speechless that all he could do was let out a painful scream as he pressed his forehead against the glass. His pain filled the room as he whispered his penance to his beloved, apologizing for failing to save him and promising to follow Chito in the afterlife.
Bob’s hands started emanating a green light, at last, his suppressed powers had resurfaced when he needed it the most. Edgard was the first to notice it.
“Padre, your powers—they’re back! Look!”
“Father—Dios mio, open the coffin now!”
Fr. Greg then snapped back to reality and immediately used this strength to lift the lid, the pungent smell of roses attacking their senses. But Robert was focused, he slid his arms under Chito’s knees and torso, carrying the corpse bridal style and laying him in the front pew.
Edgard saw the aura get darker as Robert began his prayers, so, he takes his Rosary and points it towards the aura to impale the beast. Fr. Greg also followed suit to the young priest after seeing the aura slowly forming larger clouds over Chito. I hope Padre does this quick cause we can’t hold on for long!
Robert, in his prayers, called on God to grant him strength to heal Chito. As he opened his eyes, his hands had now glowed bright green. He then placed these on the corpse’s cheeks.
“Mi alma, come back. Come back to me, please. I love you.”
Robert then pressed his lips on Chito’s as a declaration of his undying, steadfast and devoted love.
The aura immediately gained more strength as it quickly absorbed Bob’s powers, feeding on it as if it's nothing. The two younger priests tried their best to contain it further, but later on collapsed to the floor to exhaustion while staring at Bob helplessly. The aura became darker as it completely absorbed Bob’s powers.
It was over, Chito Tagle was truly gone.
As Bob opened his eyes, it was still filled with hope, but was immediately slashed when his vision became clearer: Chito was still lifeless, gaunt and gray. Upon his realization, Bob desperately shook the corpse, denial running in his veins. Chito should be healed, he MUST be healed. He MUST live but why can’t I do it?
“Chito, mi alma, wake up!! Come on, mi alma. This is not funny! Mi alma, no—-please—-come back. I need you. I love you. I—-“
Bob pressed his forehead to the corpse’s chest, screaming his pain, anguish and frustration over his loss. Fr. Edgard broke down as Fr. Greg comforted him, both of them seeing the Supreme Pontiff lose his soul and life right before their eyes. After some time, Bob briefly lifted his head to look at the crucifix at the altar. His eyes filled with grief, loneliness and defeat. Deep within his heart, he heard Chito whisper: Surrendering is also love, Robert.
“Father, I commend Chito to you. Take him to paradise for he has served You truly with all his faith and heart. He has done wondrous things for Your glory. He has given everything to You. May the angels guide him home to You. Mi alma, we’ll be together again I promise. Wait for—“
Bob can’t finish the sentence, a part of him is still in denial over this horrific end. And now, he’s surrendering the love of his life to the Almighty. He can’t do it, but he has no choice. He then pressed this forehead to the corpse’s one last time:
“Mi alma, mahal na mahal kita. Mahal kita, mahal kita.”
Tears freely fell from his eyes, this is the end. He has to let go. He pressed his lips to Chito’s one last time, imprinting in his mind the shape of his beloved’s lips. Unbeknownst to Bob, his tears are landing on the corpse, each landing emanating a faint green light.
Fr. Greg was holding Fr. Edgard when he noticed a bright light stemming from the corpse’s chest. Out of the blue, a column of black smoke shot out of Chito’s corpse, the force throwing Bob away. The two young priests immediately ran to his aid as they watched in horror. They then heard a deafening roar while the green light swallowed the column whole, ending with a sudden explosion that blinded the three men.
Once his vision was restored, Bob anxiously ran to Chito’s remains to check what had happened. But that anxiety was replaced with hope as he immediately noticed that Chito’s cheeks are once again plump and his lips are no longer blue. That hope fully bloomed as the once cold corpse finally stirred awake.
Chito has been trapped in darkness for seemingly an eternity. To make things worse, he can only hear Bob’s cries of anguish over his death torturing him. A dark force kept him pinned in the air. He tried opening his eyes but the force kept them closed. He tried screaming but it pressed his mouth shut. He tried fighting back but the force pinned his wrists and arms. Tears pooled in his eyes as hope slowly left his body, not until a bright light slashed through his bonds. The light then embraced him, restoring his strength and transporting him somewhere safe.
As the light subsided, he was greeted by the gentlest eyes brimming with joyful tears.
“Chito? Mi alma? Is this—-please let this be real.”
“Mi alma.”
Bob shouted with joy as he tightly hugged Chito, thanking God and his ancestors for granting him strength to save his beloved. As Chito broke the embrace, he wiped Bob’s tears away with the latter leaning to the touch.
“I was incredibly broken Chito, I’ve lost you once and never again. I vow to protect you every single day. Protect you from—-“
“Bob, it’s okay. This is over now that I’m here, alive. I’m safe now so you don’t need to worry.”
“But what if they tried to kill you—-“
Chito suddenly pressed his lips to Bob’s, attempting to subside his beloved’s anxiety. Bob then melted into the kiss, the assurance that Chito’s safety was true was finally being realized. Whispers of I love you, mi alma. filled the air as they broke the kiss. Their intimate moment cut short as they heard a jubilant voice.
“Cardinal Chito!”
“Fr. Greg!”
“Cardi, salamat sa Diyos! Akala ko po talaga iniwan niyo na kami!” (Cardinal, thanks be to God! I really thought you left us!)
“Eminenza!”
“Padre Edgard!”
The two priests tearfully hugged Chito, the moment brimming with so much joy. Bob can't help but join in on the embrace as he peppered kisses on Chito’s hair while savoring the warmth of his beloved brought back from the dead.
However, the tender moment was cut short when the doors of the chapel opened: it was Fr. Kali with a basket of white lilies and two nuns with cathedral candles and brooms. Their eyes wide-open with fear and shock as they saw the late Cardinal Chito beside the Pope alive. One of the nuns dropped her broom as she screamed bloody terror as they attempted to run away. Fr. Greg and Fr. Edgard ran to the nuns to calm them down, Edgard using his power to lock the chapel door. The three knelt down in trembling fear as they were cornered.
“Fr. Greg!!! Anong nangyayari!!! Palabasin niyo kami!!! Diyos ko po! Diyos ko po! Diyos ko po!” (Fr. Greg!! What’s happening!! Let us out! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!)
“Padre Kali! Kumalma ka! Hayaan mo kami magpaliwanag! Hindi niyo kami maintindihan kung hysterical kayo!” (Father Kali, calm down! Let us explain! You won’t understand us if you keep being hysterical!)
“Paano kami kakalma! Patay si Cardinal Chito! Pero bakit nandiyaan!! Patay na yan eh…” (How will we calm down! Cardinal Chito’s dead!! But why is he there?? He’s already dead…”)
“Fr. Kali, sisters…”
The three had seemingly calmed down when they saw Chito and Bob together behind the two priests, who then gave way as Chito approached Fr. Kali. Everyone held their breath as Chito tried to touch his secretary’s shoulder, but the priest stepped back in fear. Chito tried again, and has now successfully held his secretary’s trembling hands.
“Fr. Kali, makinig ka sakin. Ako talaga ito, si Cardinal Chito. May lumason sakin at dinala mo ako sa ospital kung saan ako namatay. Pero, ang katotohanan ay na-coma ako at hindi ako magising…” (Fr. Kali listen to me. I’m indeed Cardinal Chito. Someone did poison me and you brought me to the hospital where I died. But the truth is, I was in a coma and couldn’t wake up…)
As Chito explained his predicament to his secretary, Bob looked in amazement as he saw Chito’s hands glow a pale red light. His beloved also had his own powers: the power to control minds with his words. Chito never told him about this in their years of being together.
“...pero dumating ang Santo Padre at si Fr. Edgard, kasama ang isang espesyalistang tumingin sakin at binigyan ako ng gamot para gumaling.” (...but the Holy Father and Fr. Edgard came with a specialist who gave the medicine that healed me.)
Fr. Kali, finally calmed down, lunged towards Cardinal Chito embracing him with the two nun following suit. Bob just smiled behind as they tearfully reunited with their boss. He went back to the altar to fix his things, when he noticed that the coffin and candles where his beloved once laid were gone. The Book of Gospels was in the altar. There were also empty vials scattered in the altar though it was never there before.
Bob could only mutter wow under his breath on how Chito can bend reality.
A week later, Bob and Chito were at Villa Barberini to spend quality time together as promised. They were at their bed cuddling, clothes strewn everywhere, legs tangled within each other, their naked bodies covered with a blanket. The high from their deed earlier slowly coming down.
“Chito?”
“Yes, Bob?”
“What you did last week, you bent reality to calm your secretary. Your hands—-they were glowing.”
“Hmmm, yes that was real and I’m sorry for not telling you about it. I suppressed this ability since I can easily abuse it. In fact, I think that was the first time I used it in its highest form.”
“Chito, can I be honest? Do you really love—-“
Chito once again pressed his lips onto Bob’s, pouring out all his love and affection to his beloved. Bob also melted again into the kiss as he slowly parted his lips to allow Chito’s tongue to slip in, leading their tongues to a passionate dance. As they parted, Bob left a small peck into Chito’s lips.
“I love you Chito.”
“I love you even more, Bob. I sincerely do.”
Then they embraced to lull them to sleep, finally leaving behind the horrific events of the last week. Moving forward together not just through their supernatural abilities, but by their infallible love that conquered death and loss.
FIN