—His mother was a nun. His father… unknown.

Benítez turns pale.

Lomeli closes his eyes. He has committed the gravest sin of the conclave: revealing information that could influence the vote.

But when he opens them, he sees something unexpected. Relief in Benítez’s eyes.

—Thank you, Your Eminence —says the Filipino, his voice calm—. I no longer have to hide it.

The confession shakes the Sistine Chapel.

Lomeli doesn’t know what will happen. He’s broken the rules, but he’s saved the Church from a lie.

The White Smoke

The cardinals vote.

One by one, the papers fall into the urn.

Lomeli watches the count with a clenched heart.

Benítez is no longer the favorite. The balance has shifted.

The votes pile behind another name.

One no one expected.

One who never sought power—but now is the only one they all trust.

Lomeli feels a chill.

Bellini meets his gaze.

—Jacopo —he says solemnly—, the Holy Spirit has spoken.

Lomeli swallows hard.