The angelic pope
Engelspapst is a novel by Jörg Kastner , published in 2002 by Knaur Verlag (previously, 2000 by Scherz Verlag). In addition to the novel, the book (638 pages) also contains follow-up remarks by the author, a glossary of the terms and dates of the papal Swiss Guard mentioned in the book . The action takes place mainly in Rome , as well as on the British Channel Islands Guernsey , Sark and Brecqhou . In 2006 a new edition appeared with the name Der Engelspapst .
action
Guard commander Heinrich Rosin and his wife Juliette were murdered in their own apartment by Adjutant Marcel Danegger, a Swiss guard. While the Vatican wants to close the file again quickly and therefore refrains from involving the Italian police, Alexander Rosin, also an adjutant in the Swiss Guard and the nephew of the guard commander, senses that Danegger was also a victim. Together with the Roman journalist Elena Vida, with whom he also falls in love, they track down the Circle of Twelve and the arch-Catholic secret order Totus Tuus (Latin for perfect of yours). The two societies plan to assassinate the newly elected Pope Custos. To make this possible, the Circle of Twelve has occupied the control points of the Vatican: State Secretary Cardinal Musolino, Cardinal Prefect Tamberlani, Lieutenant Colonel and later Commander of the Swiss Guard Anton von Gunten, Vigilance Chief Riccardo Parada and the press spokesman for the Vatican Bernhard Wetter-Dietz. There are also a couple of Swiss Guards, including Utz Rasser, whom Alexander considered his best friend. But which man holds the position of head of the Circle of Twelve hurts Alexander most, who overheard a secret meeting of the Circle with Elena in the underground of Rome: The head of the Circle of Twelve and of Totus Tuus is Alexander's father Markus Rosin, predecessor, who was believed to be dead by Heinrich Rosin. Father and son meet on the Channel Island of Breqhou after Markus Rosin abducted Elena. The whole theater is based on "The True Likeness of Christ", an emerald that shows Jesus and his twin brother Judas Thomas. Since Custos, who has declared himself a descendant of Jesus, wants to reveal the secret that Jesus has a twin brother and did not die on the cross but in the south of France, Totus Tuus wants to eliminate him and snatch the stone for himself.
The attack almost succeeds. Custos, who had healed a paralyzed woman at an audience in the Nervi Hall a week earlier, is shot several times. Alexander arrives a millisecond late: When his foot hits the assassin, he has already pulled the trigger. The assassin kidnaps Elena and Alexander is suspected of murdering Pope Custos.
Thanks to the help of Commissario Stelvio Donati, with whom he survived an assassination attempt by the assassin, he was able to escape and was taken to a hospital. This private clinic belongs to the elect, people like Pope Custos, who are descendants of Jesus.
When the doctors in the Apostolic Palace are already giving up the pontifex custos and the hammer question is already being asked, Don Ovasius Shafqat, the Holy Father's private secretary, receives a hand from England to heal the Holy Father. The Pope comes back to life.
Ovasius Shafqat is later murdered by Utz Rasser.
Alexander and Elena found out about the conspirators with the help of a secret report from Alexander's ancestor Albert Rosin. The report tells about Albert Rosin's secret escape from attacked Rome to Venice together with Benvenuto Cellini , a well-known goldsmith .
Together with the journalist Spartaco Negro, Alexander tries to free Elena on the Channel Island, where she is held captive by Totus Tuus. But Alexander and Spartaco are discovered, the first also captured, the other shot.
On the Channel Island, Alexander and his father agree that Elena should be exchanged for “The True Likeness of Christ” in the gemstone chapel where the circle's meetings took place. The meeting turns into a conflict in the underground of Rome, in which Utz Rasser loses his life and Markus Rosin blinds him . When Elena is handed over, the people try to kidnap Pope Custos, who also took part in the dispute. This fails: Thanks to an e-mail from Alexander, Swiss Guards pour into the chapel and disarm the members of the Circle of Twelve and the Totus Tuus people. Elena, who was injected with drugs, survives the argument unscathed.
Totus Tuus
An arch-Catholic secret order that only exists in the novel; General, the chief, is Markus Rosin. The coat of arms consists of two T's crossed at right angles, with a white crab emblazoned between the bars in the upper right corner.
Its members are in the habit of self-flagellation. They speak the penance formula: Totus Tuus, Domine. Hic iacet pulvis, cinis et nihil. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. (Completely yours, sir. Here lies dust, ashes and nothing. Through my fault, through my fault, through my excessive fault)
People (selection)
Alexander Rosin
Swiss Guard, nephew of Heinrich Rosin and son of Markus Rosin. Together with his later girlfriend Elena Vida, Alexander clarifies the truth about the commander's murder. Had an affair with Juliette Rosin. According to his father's will, Alexander was supposed to switch to the Circle of Twelve, so Utz Rasser spied on him.
Elena Vida
Journalist, works for Messaggero di Roma, an Italian daily newspaper, and helps her future lover, Alexander Rosin, in investigating the murder of the Guards. She was kidnapped as Dolores Machado from her Brazilian homeland and brought up under the name Paolina Orfei in a home run by Totus Tuus.
Pope Custos
The real name of Jean-Pierre Gardien is known as the angelic pope. According to his own statements, Custos is one of the chosen ones, the descendants of Jesus. Custos has healing powers that helped a paralyzed woman stand up in an audience.
Stelvio Donati
Commissario, supporting the elect, proved invaluable to Alexander and Elena when he was part of the argument in the Edelsteinkapelle. His left leg is made of aluminum: eight years ago he lost his left leg, his wife and their two children in a car bomb attack in Milan, which was suspected to be revenge by the Mafia.
Heinrich Rosin
Guard commander, was murdered by Marcel Danegger, allegedly because of official differences. Finally it turned out that Heinrich's brother Markus had given the order for his death. Turned his back on Totus Tuus, which meant his death.
Juliette Rosin
Also murdered wife of Heinrich Rosin and ex-lover of Alexander.
Markus Rosin
Father of Alexander; Head of the Circle of Twelve and General von Totus Tuus. Faked his son into being killed in a plane crash over the English Channel ten years ago just to keep his secret life. He lost his sight underground . The eyes were scratched out by cats.
Utz Rasser
Adjutant of the Swiss Guard, allegedly friends with Alexander since the common telecommunications service in the Swiss Army, spied on him on behalf of Totus Tuus. Dies in the fight in the gemstone chapel.
Spartaco Negro
Recreational gladiator, Elena's researcher. Together with Alexander tries to free them on Breqhou, where he finds death.
Albert Rosin
Ancestor of Alexander. One of twelve survived the Sacco di Roma , where the imperial rulers raided Rome on May 6, 1527. Traveled to Venice with Benvenuto Cellini to carry out an assignment from Pope Clement VII .
Benvenuto Cellini
Well-known goldsmith from Florence , a historical person (1500–1571).
Ovasius Shafqat
Private Secretary to Pope Custos. He comes from Ireland and used to be an alcoholic until he found his faith again through Gardien. After the assassination, he brought the Pope back to life with his healing powers. He also belongs to the circle of the chosen and is murdered by Utz Rasser, a Swiss Guardsman.
relation to reality
The starting point of the story, i.e. the murder of Heinrich Rosin and his wife Juliette by the Swiss guardsman Marcel Danegger and his suicide, has a real basis. On May 4, 1998, the recently appointed commander of the Swiss Guard Alois Estermann and his wife Gladys Meza Romero were probably killed by the Swiss Guard Cédric Tornay . In this case, too, the police were not involved, which also led to rumors and conspiracy theories .
In the novel, the murders also happen at the beginning of May, but on the first of the month. In some editions of the novel, the murder of Alois Estermann and his wife is dated back to 1991 in the appendix, which is, however, incorrect.
The name of the press officer in the book, Bernhard Werter-Dietz , is a reference to Joaquín Navarro-Valls , who was head of the Holy See's press office during the murders .