It was only an encouragement, if the Cardinal agreed, and our cooperation would be successful and he would be a good ally for the years to come ... then I would offer him the papal throne.
The creation of several Jesuit colleges was not a problem, especially since I wanted to raise the level of education in the country myself ... after all, it was one of the factors that made Prussia such a powerful country. The cardinal was still silent, perhaps my proposal surprised him or he was weighing all the pros and cons.
"There is only one condition, I would like half of the classes to be taught in Polish ... Of course, I know that it may be a challenge, especially at the beginning, but I am ready to prepare appropriate textbooks in my native language." (MC)
"Prince, you are asking a lot, but I do not see anything in it that is contrary to the teaching of the church and my conscience. I am also full of admiration for what kind of friend you are ... and your friend must be someone special." (Cardinal Barberini)
"Yes, he was special. I knew him since I was a child and I knew him as well as myself...but that's all in the past. Looking to the future I hope the Your Excellency will become my friend." (MC)
Our meeting continued for a few more hours. I told the Cardinal about Podolia and the situation in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, we talked about literature. Cardinal Barberini showed me a few different objects brought from different parts of the world ... they were weapons, stuffed animals, statues. I knew all this from a previous life and probably knew more about these things than the Cardinal himself, but I pretended to be curious and interested in the cardinal's collection. At the end of the meeting, the Cardinal approved my proposal and asked me to stay a few more days in Rome... I did not know what he wanted, but thanks to this I will have the opportunity to visit local brothels.
A few days later, a messenger from the Cardinal came to the inn and I was summoned to the Apostolic Palace, it meant one thing, an audience with Urban VIII himself. I didn't like it, I can't fake backache anymore and I will have to kiss that shitty ring. I also didn't know what he might want from me. Urban VIII didn't have such a bad reputation as Alexander VI, but that doesn't mean he didn't have blood on his hands.
There was nothing left for me to do but find out what he might want ... After a dozen or so minutes of driving, I was introduced to the palace ... and it was the first place that interested me. It was here that a hundred years ago, 189 Swiss defended the Pope against the army of Emperor Charles V. It was one of the darkest periods in the history of the city, during 8 months of robbery, plunder, murder and ra.pe, the population of Rome dropped from 60,000 to only 10-12,000... As one of the witnesses described these events, "Germans were bad, the Italians worse, and the Spaniards worst of all."
However, I did not have much time to admire the palace itself, I was almost immediately led to the audience hall ... Urban VIII sat on the throne of Peter, next to him was his nephew.
Willingly or not, I approached the throne, mimicking pain, I knelt down and kissed his ring.
"Your Holiness, it is an honor for me." (MC)
"I've heard a lot of good things about the Prince from my nephew. I've also had the opportunity to read some of your books." (Pope Urban VIII)
Great, even more pirated copies of my book.
"I hope you enjoy reading it, Your Holiness." (MC)
"Yes, they were nice. I heard my nephew talked you into opening several Jesuit colleges." (Pope Urban VIII)
"It is true, but I also asked that some of the lessons be conducted in Polish. The common people do not know Latin, and thanks to this they will be able to better understand the teachings of the church." (MC)
"I heard that you are coming back from the war. We got the information about the peace treaty between the Empire and the Kingdom of Denmark. I ask you as a soldier, do you think this will end this unfortunate war in Europe?" (Pope Urban VIII)
"The war will change its face, Denmark has lost, but Sweden, England and France continue to support the Protestants." (MC)
"Perhaps you are right Prince" (Pope Urban VIII)
I know I'm right, now Sweden will enter the war and then France ... which you will support to weaken the Habsburgs. It will even happen that the Spanish ambassador will publicly accuse you of betraying the Catholic faith.
We talked for a few more minutes, then the pope announced that for promoting the teaching of the church, for writing "Quo Vadis" and for saving Christians from the hands of the Tatars, I was awarded the honorary title of Count of the Papal States ... I was surprised that the Pope knew about my battles with the Tatars and that he skipped my fight with Protestants.
The title itself was worthless, it did not involve land or money, it was not even hereditary. It was something I could put on a business card if people in those days were using business cards.
There was nothing left for me to do but to thank the Pope the honor and for a title that I will never use. My title of Prince, which I inherited from my grandfather, was much more valuable. However, it made me realize something important, my influence and name are still too little known. That is why I intended to return to Poland as soon as possible, but first to the Crimea. My plan to meet the Doge of Venice will have to wait.
The next day, I set off with my men on my way to Venice to charter a ship there.