In March 1656, Pope Alexander VII stood in the Mother Love Chapel of St. Peter's Basilica and looked carefully at Michelangelo's sculpture "Pietata".
This is a white marble sculpture. The theme of the work is taken from the biblical story of the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ and crying after Jesus was caught and crucified by the Jewish governor. Michelangelo created this sculpture
Only 24 years old at the time, this is also his only signed work.
On the tall sculpture, the lines of the two Holy Spirit figures are lifelike. Every time Alexander VII looked at this group of statues, it was like seeing the catastrophe that Jesus experienced and the ruthlessness and pride of the cruel Roman consuls.
Ruthlessness is a sin.
Pride is an original sin.
Alexander VII made the sign of the cross on his chest.
"Great art, great Michelangelo."
Alexander VII expressed heartfelt admiration for the creator of this work. There is no doubt that this sculpture is of extremely high artistic value and represents the great achievements of the European Renaissance. The more religious-themed artworks, the better.
With more bodies, the church's influence will be stronger.
In today's Europe, the influence of the church faces some challenges. Alexander VII is a learned pope. He is the great-grandson of former Pope Paul V. He is well educated and can easily penetrate many complex issues. In the pope's view
, the religious reform and a series of religious wars that occurred in the past hundred years were all due to the Age of Discovery.
Geographical expansion brought about cultural changes, which led to Protestants trying to challenge the old order that had no gaps. In the north of Europe, Protestantism that was not in line with the interests of the church gradually overwhelmed the power of the church.
However, Alexander VII was a pope who understood current affairs, and he understood that the old order could no longer be restored.
The situation in the Papal States can still be maintained, and the countries along the Mediterranean are still pious. Even Europeans who choose Protestantism will still respect themselves. Now the Pope is an influential force in and around Rome, and is nominally the leader of all European people.
religious leaders, that is enough.
Alexander VII was now concerned with another issue, a new issue that would affect the life and death of the entire Europe - the threat from the east.
He withdrew his gaze from the Pietà and slowly walked out of the Chapel of Mother Love. The grand St. Peter's Basilica appeared in front of the Pope's eyes.
This is the most magnificent church in Europe. In the center of the church is a bronze baldachin carved by the great artist Bernini. This magnificent bronze building used to host masses is five stories high, with a huge statue at the bottom of each column.
, sculptured with the image of the saint, standing on four solid marbles.
Outside the canopy, the huge church is extremely beautiful. The entire building can accommodate 50,000 to 60,000 people, but every part of it is filled with statues and works of art.
The Pope looked at this magnificent church, and finally set his sights on King Louis XIV of France who was waiting for him.
The young Louis XIV stood in the center of the hall with his head held high, looking at Alexander VII with cold eyes. This French king, who would later be hailed as the "Sun King" by Europeans, was still only a seventeen-year-old boy, but he was already
He has all the conditions needed for a wise king. Extraordinary wisdom and uncontrollable greed are highly condensed in him, and there is an awe-inspiring pride all over his body.
Such a monarch would not give up any power. France was destined to be an absolute monarchy in the future. Alexander seemed to see all the French nobles trembling under the feet of the absolute Louis XIV.
Of course, the Young King's career had just begun at this time.
He saw the Pope stop in front of him and said bluntly: "Your Holy Majesty the Pope, you should not take risks in the East."
After thinking for a while, the noble young man added: "That is not what a person of your status should do."
Upon hearing the French King's words, the bishops behind the Pope were slightly startled.
None of them expected that the young king would be so direct.
Alexander VII looked at Louis XIV. He actually admired the young king's reaction speed. After learning that he was going to take a steamship to the East through Portuguese connections, Louis XIV rushed to Rome as soon as possible after a long journey.
, trying to stop myself.
"my child."
Alexander VII stroked Louis XIV's hair and said slowly: "The rise of pagans in the East has caused a bloody storm from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. My child, I must go to the East to take a look and understand what is happening there."
"What kind of thing appeared in the far east and made the eastern forces that had no offensive capabilities suddenly become so powerful? I must go and see with my own eyes."
Louis XIV didn't like being touched by the Pope. He took a step back and looked into Alexander VII's eyes, his face getting colder and colder.
"With all due respect, Your Holy Majesty the Pope, you went to Tianjin just to take a look at the situation, right?"
Alexander VII slowly withdrew his hand, looked at Louis XIV calmly, and did not answer the question.
Louis XIV sneered and said: In your opinion, as long as the influence of Catholicism can expand, it does not matter whether the yellow race or the white race rules Europe. In your eyes, we European royal families and those country bumpkin nobles are just
Replaceable chess pieces!"
Louis XIV looked directly into Alexander VII's eyes and sneered: "If Li Zhi is willing to accept Catholicism and let Catholicism spread in the East, I'm afraid you will cooperate with this horrible yellow man and betray the whole of Europe!"
"
Alexander VII looked at the young king's cold expression and said nothing.
Originally, the relationship between France and the Papal States was very good. This relationship was an important tool for Alexander VII to influence the whole of Europe. Indeed, most people in Europe are pious. But to truly control politics, some people are needed.
The nobles who were close to religion moved closer to the church.
Alexander VII was not angry, but simply said: "Young Highness, Europe does not belong to the royal family and nobles, but to all believers."
Louis XIV narrowed his eyes when he heard this, and the expression on his face became even colder.
Alexander VII looked at the young man's expression and said, "I will not betray Europe, never."
The future Sun King seemed to have heard a ridiculous joke and laughed.
"It sounds like a vow, one that's open to interpretation."
The young king stopped laughing and said: "Li Zhi has defeated the arrogant Ottoman Turkey, defeated the Persian Empire, and conquered India. All European sailing ships in the Indian Ocean have returned to Europe. I believe that in a few years, the Middle East will be dominated by China.
The Dutch and Portuguese Southeast Asia was completely in Li Zhi's hands. Now in the north of the New World, Li Zhi's frontline troops have begun to attack the white colonies. Last month, the frontline Tiger Army had already attacked Mississippi.
On the east bank of the river, the British army lost four bunkers in three days."
"The entire European civilization is trembling under the threat of Li Zhi."
"But now, while everyone with brains is thinking about countermeasures, the European pope has put down all his pride and went to Portugal to take a steamer to negotiate with Li Zhi in Tianjin, which is tens of thousands of miles away."
Louis XIV sneered and said: "It's easy to send some spies. With all due respect, if Your Majesty the Pope doesn't want to make a secret appointment with Li Zhi, if you don't want Li Zhi to accept Catholicism, why bother to go there in person?"
After hearing Louis XIV's words, Alexander VII did not speak for a long time.
"my child."
Finally, Alexander VII said: "My son, what do you want to say?"
Louis XIV looked at the bishops around him. These papal assistants were not as good as the pope. When they heard the young king's words, these people became a little nervous. After all, France is the most powerful country on the European continent. France
If the king and the pope were at odds with each other, no one could tell who would win in the end.
The young king raised his head and said loudly: "Pope, with all due respect, you cannot go to Tianjin. Li Zhi will not allow Christianity to spread in his territory. This is impossible. If you go, you will definitely come back empty-handed."
.And at that time, all Europe will abandon you and your followers."
When Alexander VII heard this, he sighed.
He looked at the statue of Jesus in front of the hall. The marble statue of Jesus crucified seemed to represent the entire world of Alexander VII.
Alexander VII reached his left hand under his clothes and touched a Gatling gun bullet there. The bullet that fell from India into the hands of the church was truly made in China, which made the Pope believe those incredible things.
machine gun rumors.
It only took more than ten seconds for the Pope to make up his mind before the threat of the French King.
"My child, don't worry. I'm not going to negotiate with Li Zhi. I'm going to see what's going on there. The church will not betray Europe, never. No matter how you threaten me, I will go there myself.
