Archbishop Beaumont said cautiously, "Your Highness, the Gallican Church will certainly follow your instructions and ensure there is no conflict with the Holy See. Surely disbanding it isn't absolutely necessary..."
Joseph smiled. "The Gallican faction was originally established to counter the Roman Curia, but now that the Holy See is in France, your identity as 'Gallicans' will only get in the way of your running it."
At the word "running," Beaumont and the others' eyes lit up.
Boisgelin said excitedly, "Your Highness, do you mean to replace the Holy See with the Gallican Church?"
Joseph waved a hand. "As I said, integrate, not replace. You must learn from the time of Gregory XI. If you don't let other countries participate in the affairs of the Holy See, they will inevitably establish another one.
"You must use the enormous advantage of having the Holy See in France to secure real power through political means.
"Take the Mediterranean Security Organization, for example. Although our country has only one vote, no important matter can proceed without us stating our position..."
By the time he had outlined the methods for taking control of the Holy See, the archbishops were nodding repeatedly, convinced from the bottom of their hearts.
Archbishop Beaumont, in particular, immediately bowed. "Your Highness, in that case, I will not stand in the papal election. The Apostolic Camera seems better suited to me."
He had already handed all the affairs of the Paris diocese over to Archbishop Rainier in preparation for his bid for the papal throne.
Joseph nodded. "We can easily leave the papacy to someone from Parma or Florence. I believe the new pope will be very cooperative when it comes to reforming the Holy See."
Avignon.
The Papal Palace.
Pius VI discussed the previous day's welcoming ceremony with Giovio