Old Pope: I would like to release the third secret.
Cardinals Sodano & Bertone: Holiness, you can’t do that. The nature of those texts would undermine faith in the Church itself and the new springtime that has been the goal of your entire pontificate.
Old Pope: I worry about this too, but still…
Cardinals S&B: Holiness, can we even be sure that the words of the Virgin are legitimate and were not influenced, even inadvertently, by Sr. Lucia? Your blessed predecessor of Holy Memory Pope John XXIII repeatedly gave voice to these concerns and that is why he and all the subsequent Pontiffs refused publication.
Old Pope: But if the Blessed Virgin wishes it, I would like to comply…
Cardinals S&B: But Holiness, if this message could be misunderstood by the faithful, undermine faith in the magisterium and in the Council, all for words that we could not be certain are are actually the words of the Blessed Virgin, wouldn’t that be highly imprudent.
Old Pope: Yes, that is a concern. But…
Cardinals S&B: But Holiness, can you say for absolute certain that these dire and terrible words of the letter of Sr. Lucia are without a doubt the actual words of the Virgin without any influences of the seer herself? Can you vouch for this certainty when none of your predecessors could not?
Old Pope: I don’t… I am not sure… But the Virgin…
Cardinals S&B: Holiness, we understand well and share your desire to fulfill the request of the Virgin. But what of the other text, that of the vision? We are all certain that that vision is a legitimate part of the secret and it would not raise any of the immediate concerns of that dreadful letter. And since the vision clearly pertains to the terrible trials you endured holiness, we agree that we should release that document. But since the other document could be so damaging and you cannot possibly vouch for its authenticity when all your predecessors could not, we cannot even be sure it is part of the legitimate secret. If it is not, your holiness, it could do untold damage to the Church. It could even provoke Schism, Holiness.
Old Pope: I, uh, I don’t.
Cardinals S&B: Holiness, to fulfill your desire to comply with the request of the Holy Virgin, we should release that which we can be sure is legitimate, the vision. The other part cannot be considered a legitimate part of the secret…
Old Pope: But what about the good sister? She says…
Cardinals S&B: Do not worry about Sr. Lucia, your Holiness. She will be made to understand that the final arbiter of prophecy is the Pope and she is an obedient child. So let us do what you want and release the legitimate part of the secret, Holiness. But we must all be in agreement that the other text is not authentically part of the secret.
Old Pope: I suppose that is the best that can be done under concrete circumstances. Let it be so…
