Post by Pope Valentine II on Feb 26, 2015 19:44:32 GMT -7
Aroch Ward
The burning glare from the spotlights was dizzying, but the mix of skeptic applause and audacious murmurs was absolutely nauseating. Guiding his gaze over the crowd, the Pope took notice of the concoction of species who were present. It was a sea of Turians and Salarains, with occasional Human and Asari sprinkled in. The lights from camera drones blotted out everything beyond the middle row of seats, but the front-most rows were clear as day. Unfortunately, the sneers and curled faces stretched from one end of row to the next.
Of course, Valentine hadn't expected the aliens to bow at his feet and kiss his ring; but he hadn't entertained the idea they would show such a discontent with his presence. Perhaps it was the silly getup he had to wear to these things. Nothing said "I'm one of you" like a robe that could trip people five miles behind him and a hat that C-Sec could classify as an obstruction to safe flight. If they were anything like Valentine himself, they thought he looked like some kind of exotic clown. He had to put that aside though, what he was going to do here was important work. The Catholic faith would be spread and that was important for more than just humanity, it was important to all the followers of the faith.
"Citizens of the Citadel, patrons of peace, protectors of the innocent, believers in all faiths...I thank you all for allowing me here today." Valentine spoke, his voice encompassing the entire square as he spoke. The Council and C-Sec were kind enough to allow his team to set up stage in a large square with an equally large park in the middle. "I have come to the Citadel because I know that here resides the true spirit of unity and partnership. The Citadel is a place of democracy. The Citadel is a place of freedom. The Citadel is a place of faith. Not just the faith in religion, but faith in one another. Faith in what is right and that together, all races can forge a better tomorrow for us all."
With a short breath, Valentine looked over the crowd once more. The aliens seemed less tense, but overall he could still feel the cynicism in their gaze. "As some of you may not know, I am the Pope of the Catholic faith, a faith that preaches equality among men and peace between nations. However, on multiple occasions there have been members of our church who have spoken ill of non-human races. Men and women who have forgotten what our faith is truly about...love."
"Love of God. Love of our friends. Love of our enemies. Love of those who are different than us. I am here today to tell you that my love knows no bounds, that it is pure and I wish nothing but see you all prosper. Whether you are a believer in my faith, or that of your respective cultures. It is in belief that Jesus shines goodness upon those who shine goodness on others and all are capable of such compassion." Valentine paused for a moment as two cardinals, dressed in black robes tied together with red sashes, carried out a large triangular object covered by a white sheet. They carried the hidden object to the center stage, right beside Valentine who placed a soft hand atop it.
"With my papacy I wish to forge a new relationship with the species of God's magnificent universe and beside me stands the first step in doing so." bowing his head, Valentine took in a slow breath. His fingers curled and loosened a few times during his short silence, his mind pouring over the somber words he was about to speak. "There was a period in human history. A period that took place many hundreds of years ago in which the Catholic Church had done terrible things on Earth. My predecessor's had wronged many groups, one of which was a faithful group of men known as Knights Templar."
Gripping the sheet tight, Valentine pulled the cover away and threw it violently to the side. A painting now stood beside him, one standing atop a wooden canvas holder. Scrolled cross the canvas in brilliant detail was a Gothic Cross. "This painting will serve as one of the many symbols of the restored Templar Order. This order was the home to many faithful men who wished to do what was best for their religion and their people, I now wish to see their same dedication brought into our modern age. To see good men and woman take part in acts of kindness and charity all across the galaxy.
"The Knights Templar will seek to aid those who need, to travel to distant colonies in order to help establish safety and prosperity. Not only this, but they will spread the word of God to all who wish to listen." with another brief pause, Valentine stepped back and looked over the crowd once more. "I will talk more on this with the council and as I travel across the Citadel. For now, I wish to walk among you and meet the wonderful populace the Citadel has to offer"
With that, Valentine raised his arms and a mix of cheer and unsure snickers followed. A coy smile curled on his face as he turned and walked towards the back of the stage. There waiting for him was his assistant Cardinal, Douglas. "You did well"
"Yes, if only that meant anything" Valentine hissed, passing him without stopping on his way to the stairs to join the crowd. "These aliens are too self-righteous to be pleased so easy"
Of course, Valentine hadn't expected the aliens to bow at his feet and kiss his ring; but he hadn't entertained the idea they would show such a discontent with his presence. Perhaps it was the silly getup he had to wear to these things. Nothing said "I'm one of you" like a robe that could trip people five miles behind him and a hat that C-Sec could classify as an obstruction to safe flight. If they were anything like Valentine himself, they thought he looked like some kind of exotic clown. He had to put that aside though, what he was going to do here was important work. The Catholic faith would be spread and that was important for more than just humanity, it was important to all the followers of the faith.
"Citizens of the Citadel, patrons of peace, protectors of the innocent, believers in all faiths...I thank you all for allowing me here today." Valentine spoke, his voice encompassing the entire square as he spoke. The Council and C-Sec were kind enough to allow his team to set up stage in a large square with an equally large park in the middle. "I have come to the Citadel because I know that here resides the true spirit of unity and partnership. The Citadel is a place of democracy. The Citadel is a place of freedom. The Citadel is a place of faith. Not just the faith in religion, but faith in one another. Faith in what is right and that together, all races can forge a better tomorrow for us all."
With a short breath, Valentine looked over the crowd once more. The aliens seemed less tense, but overall he could still feel the cynicism in their gaze. "As some of you may not know, I am the Pope of the Catholic faith, a faith that preaches equality among men and peace between nations. However, on multiple occasions there have been members of our church who have spoken ill of non-human races. Men and women who have forgotten what our faith is truly about...love."
"Love of God. Love of our friends. Love of our enemies. Love of those who are different than us. I am here today to tell you that my love knows no bounds, that it is pure and I wish nothing but see you all prosper. Whether you are a believer in my faith, or that of your respective cultures. It is in belief that Jesus shines goodness upon those who shine goodness on others and all are capable of such compassion." Valentine paused for a moment as two cardinals, dressed in black robes tied together with red sashes, carried out a large triangular object covered by a white sheet. They carried the hidden object to the center stage, right beside Valentine who placed a soft hand atop it.
"With my papacy I wish to forge a new relationship with the species of God's magnificent universe and beside me stands the first step in doing so." bowing his head, Valentine took in a slow breath. His fingers curled and loosened a few times during his short silence, his mind pouring over the somber words he was about to speak. "There was a period in human history. A period that took place many hundreds of years ago in which the Catholic Church had done terrible things on Earth. My predecessor's had wronged many groups, one of which was a faithful group of men known as Knights Templar."
Gripping the sheet tight, Valentine pulled the cover away and threw it violently to the side. A painting now stood beside him, one standing atop a wooden canvas holder. Scrolled cross the canvas in brilliant detail was a Gothic Cross. "This painting will serve as one of the many symbols of the restored Templar Order. This order was the home to many faithful men who wished to do what was best for their religion and their people, I now wish to see their same dedication brought into our modern age. To see good men and woman take part in acts of kindness and charity all across the galaxy.
"The Knights Templar will seek to aid those who need, to travel to distant colonies in order to help establish safety and prosperity. Not only this, but they will spread the word of God to all who wish to listen." with another brief pause, Valentine stepped back and looked over the crowd once more. "I will talk more on this with the council and as I travel across the Citadel. For now, I wish to walk among you and meet the wonderful populace the Citadel has to offer"
With that, Valentine raised his arms and a mix of cheer and unsure snickers followed. A coy smile curled on his face as he turned and walked towards the back of the stage. There waiting for him was his assistant Cardinal, Douglas. "You did well"
"Yes, if only that meant anything" Valentine hissed, passing him without stopping on his way to the stairs to join the crowd. "These aliens are too self-righteous to be pleased so easy"
