Robert Langdon, #1
Angels & Demons
by Dan Brown
Contents
128
Overview
After the camerlegno's apparent miraculous survival, the cardinals become eager to elect him pope, but Mortati alone hesitates and insists that church law and reason cannot be discarded in religious excitement. His resistance creates a crucial pause before the conclave can crown the camerlegno. At the same time, Langdon secretly returns to the Vatican with Kohler's camcorder, preparing to reveal information that may challenge the miracle.
Summary
The cardinals return to the Sistine Chapel exhilarated by the camerlegno's survival and the apparent miracle above St. Peter's. Cardinal Mortati, however, feels uneasy rather than inspired; despite a lifetime of faith, he cannot reconcile what he witnessed with his growing sense that something is wrong.
A Swiss Guard reports that the camerlegno is alive, human, and kneeling in silent prayer on the roof, but that his chest is burned. Mortati instructs the guard to treat the camerlegno as a man: wash him, bind his wounds, dress him, and bring him to the cardinals. On the way to the chapel, Mortati notices Vittoria Vetra alone and grieving, but he postpones comforting her because the conclave demands his attention.
Meanwhile, Robert Langdon arrives back at Vatican City in a hospital helicopter, carrying Maximilian Kohler's camcorder. After persuading the pilot to violate Vatican airspace because of the emergency, Langdon lands unseen on the Vatican helipad, boards a weakly charged golf cart, and drives without headlights so no one notices his approach.
Inside the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals erupt into calls to elect the camerlegno pope, declaring his survival a divine sign that overrides conclave law. Mortati interrupts them, asserting his authority as Great Elector and insisting they wait to hear from the camerlegno before balloting.
Mortati reminds the cardinals that the camerlegno is legally ineligible because he is not a cardinal and is too young. When the others argue that the miracle transcends human rules, Mortati rejects the frenzy and insists that reason, prudence, and church law are also part of serving God.
Who Appears
- Cardinal MortatiGreat Elector; uneasy about the miracle and resists electing the camerlegno illegally.
- Robert LangdonReturns secretly to the Vatican by helicopter with Kohler's camcorder.
- The camerlegnoAlive after the explosion, burned and praying, becoming the cardinals' favored papal choice.
- Vittoria VetraSeen grieving alone near the Royal Staircase after the night's losses.
- Swiss GuardReports the camerlegno is alive and receives orders to tend his wounds.
- College of CardinalsInterprets the camerlegno's survival as divine will and demands an immediate ballot.