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After the Illuminati caller confirms the antimatter threat and the planned murders of the four missing preferiti, Langdon looks out over St. Peter’s Square and absorbs the scale of the crisis. Camerlegno Carlo Ventresca believes the College of Cardinals must be evacuated immediately because human life outweighs conclave procedure.

Commander Olivetti, though shaken and ashamed that the Vatican has been penetrated, argues against evacuation. Olivetti says moving 165 elderly cardinals into Rome would create panic, expose them to danger, and waste crucial time. Olivetti insists the Sistine Chapel is reinforced, has already been searched, and is likely the safest place for the cardinals.

Vittoria warns that the antimatter blast radius is uncertain and could threaten people outside Vatican walls, especially if the canister is near the perimeter. Olivetti says his duty includes preventing detonation and proposes investigating whether a Vatican-wide blackout could reduce radio interference enough to detect the canister’s magnetic field.

Olivetti’s plan is to let conclave begin, keep the cardinals calm and contained, and use most of the Swiss Guard to search Vatican City. Vittoria reminds him that the canister must be returned to CERN before midnight to recharge its batteries, leaving only about four hours.

The camerlegno objects that the missing preferiti, especially Baggia, cannot simply be ignored. Olivetti frames their situation as military triage: searching all Rome is impossible, involving Roman police risks leaks to the media, and chasing the assassin could be exactly what the Illuminati want. Olivetti leaves to begin preparations, telling the camerlegno to accept what cannot be changed.