Tremblay’s Encounter with the Dean

Tremblay’s working relationship with Lomeli turns into an adversarial inquiry as the dean tests a disputed dismissal and uncovers a damaging record.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Delayed Notification

The Delayed Notification A question of authority Tremblay explains that he delayed telling Lomeli of the Pope’s death to protect the Church from confusion. Lomeli responds politely but notices that he was excluded from the first decisions. Uneasy cooperation Their public roles require them to coordinate, while their rival ambitions and different styles make cooperation brittle from the beginning.

The Denied Dismissal

The Denied Dismissal A direct question Lomeli asks Tremblay about the claim that the late Pope dismissed him. Tremblay denies it, blames Woźniak, and insists that the alleged story is a plot against his candidacy. A refusal to explain When Lomeli asks about the final papal meeting, Tremblay invokes its privacy. His refusal deepens the dean’s suspicion without resolving the allegation.

A Mutual Accusation

A Mutual Accusation A challenge to withdraw Lomeli privately tells Tremblay that he should withdraw. Tremblay calls Lomeli disturbed and suggests the dean’s apparent modesty may conceal ambition. A fractured trust Neither man accepts the other’s account. Their exchange turns an unresolved investigation into a personal contest over credibility and fitness for office.

The Nighttime Confrontation

The Nighttime Confrontation A new accusation Lomeli tells Tremblay he knows about the report, the disputed dismissal, and Shanumi’s transfer. He accuses him of using her story to damage Adeyemi. Denial and counterthreat Tremblay admits requesting her transfer but says the late Pope instructed him to do so. He warns that public accusations may appear to be a rival’s dirty trick.

A Public Reckoning

A Public Reckoning The accusation spreads Lomeli’s copies of the report provoke an open confrontation in the dining hall. Sister Agnes confirms that Tremblay requested Shanumi’s transfer. Political and moral collapse Tremblay insists that he acted for the late Pope, but his explanation no longer restores trust. The electors hear the conflict directly rather than through private rumor.

The night the late Pope dies

The night before the first ballot

The fifth ballot’s aftermath

Late on the second night

The morning before the seventh ballot