My love now had no boundaries. You have heard people speak of a window opening one heart to another, but without walls, there was no need for windows or bolts.
—Rumi
On February 1, 2005, a Vatican spokesperson announced that the Pope had been hospitalized due to a cold and laryngeal spasms, accompanied by "some difficulty breathing."
Since December of the previous year, Italy had experienced unusually cold weather, and many people had caught colds, but Parkinson's disease had worsened the Pope's condition.
In September 2003, he had canceled a public appearance because of stomach discomfort and had urgently elevated thirty cardinals.
At the time, everyone had thought they would be waiting in St. Peter's Square to see white smoke rise from the chimney.
Not everyone could forgive those who had once hurt them, but Pope John Paul II had forgiven the Turkish youth who had tried to assassinate him, preventing the situation from escalating.
Murphy's law was not always right. Some people avoided choices that would lead to disaster.
When Joseph arrived at the Apostolic Palace, many passing staff members gave him sidelong looks. Whether Swiss Guard or bodyguards, they all watched him.
Joseph furrowed his brow. Even though they deliberately acted as if everything were normal, anyone who was not blind could sense those probing gazes. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Juliati from Security called out to him.
"What is it?" Joseph asked.
"The Pope's friend came to visit him." Beneath the Raphael Corridor, Juliati lowered his voice. "He rushed back overnight."
"Oh!" Joseph suddenly understood. No wonder the papal chamberlain had emailed him and told him to attend the morning episcopal Mass.
"The steward asked me to wait for you here." Juliati looked around, then continued only after making sure no one was