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At dawn in Rome, rain has emptied much of St. Peter’s Square, though the media remain and churches around the world fill with people reflecting on the previous night’s revelations. The Vatican still issues no public statement, leaving the world to question what happened and what it means.

In the Vatican Grottoes, Cardinal Mortati kneels before the Pope’s open sarcophagus. Mortati closes the Pope’s blackened mouth and places a golden urn of Carlo Ventresca’s ashes inside the sarcophagus, beside the Pope, privately framing the act as a chance for forgiveness and as the love of a father for his son.

Lieutenant Chartrand and three Swiss Guards arrive to tell Mortati the cardinals are ready for him in conclave. Before leaving, Mortati orders the guards to seal the Pope’s sarcophagus, giving the Pope the peace Mortati believes he has earned.

As Mortati crosses the Borgia Courtyard toward the Sistine Chapel, another cardinal joins him. The cardinal apologizes for the college’s behavior the previous night, but Mortati gently excuses them, saying people often see what their hearts wish were true.

The cardinal reveals that Mortati is no longer merely the Great Elector because the College of Cardinals has insisted he be eligible for election. Mortati receives the news with humor and humility, acknowledging the church’s charity while noting that he is old and would lead only briefly.

Before they reach conclave, the cardinal confides that no remains were found on the balcony after Carlo’s self-immolation. Mortati calmly suggests that the rain may have washed them away, leaving the mystery unresolved as the men look toward the stormy sky.