Facing the enthusiastic crowd, Augustus's mood was incredibly uplifted.
While responding to the believers' cheers, his mind also raced.
His successful election meant that many previously thorny issues were now easily resolved.
Many of his ideas, which completely transcended their era, could be presented or even implemented as if they were dreams sent by Jesus.
Of course, this tactic couldn't be overused; he couldn't tell the bishops that Jesus had appeared in his dream to say he didn't exist, and that the stars and sea were humanity's future direction.
Nor could he have Jesus constantly appearing in his dreams, day and night.
Furthermore, he could now begin to address many unreasonable aspects of the Catholic Church and the Papal States system that needed modification.
Although he would likely face pressure from various sides, making progress difficult, it was still far better than doing nothing and merely adapting to the environment.
For example, the outdated practice of Catholic clergy not being allowed to marry must be changed.
Why should Jesus himself have a wife, yet demand that clergy remain celibate?
This was like "allowing the magistrate to set fires while forbidding the common people to light lamps."
Moreover, asceticism itself is extremely inhumane; even the Heavenly Dynasty, which advocated "preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires," didn't have such excessive demands; even eunuchs were allowed to find partners…
History has never lacked people who wanted to reform, but it lacked reasonable solutions; some failed, and some ended before they even began.
Therefore, how to reform is a question worth pondering.
However, Augustus didn't know how to reform.
Many things still needed to be understood; currently, he truly knew nothing.
From the current perspective, this was certainly not an urgent matter requiring reform; there were far too many more important and pressing issues.
The Papal States was already in decline; if measures weren't taken promptly, it would soon be crushed by the wheels of history.
As for his personal matters, Augustus had never been in a hurry.
This was true before his transmigration, and even more so after.
As the Pope of the Papal States and the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, he was revered by thousands.
Seeing the Papal States gradually decline, the Catholic Church split, and the Holy City fall under the iron hooves of infidels, how could he not act?
How can one start a family when the Huns have not yet been vanquished!
Gradually, the people in the square grew tired of cheering, and their voices slowly diminished.
The final work of the election was also nearing its end, and this grand yet brief Papal Election concluded.
"Your Holiness, please proceed to the Papal Residence in the Papal Palace."
At this moment, the Former Papal Chamberlain's hunched body leaned slightly forward, his aged face etched with lines, and his cloudy eyes couldn't hide a faint sense of loss, as if he had aged considerably in an instant.
Augustus knew that with him becoming the new Pope, he had truly become the Former Papal Chamberlain.
Although the Pope's Chamberlain appeared glamorous on the surface, managing the Church's finances and holding a position second only to the Pope, and even serving as the interim head of the entire Church before a new Pope was elected, he was always dependent on the Pope's authority.
The Pope's Chamberlain's own status was often not particularly prominent; they usually held the position due to a close relationship with the Pope.
Once a new Pope was elected, their status naturally plummeted.
In a sense, the Pope's Chamberlain was somewhat similar to a eunuch chief.
Therefore, seeing the Pope's Chamberlain in such a dejected state, Caesar couldn't help but feel some sympathy.
"Thank you for everything you have done for the Catholic Church; the Lord will not forget you.
Clement VIII's mission is complete; he will receive the Lord's grace in heaven."
Augustus tried his best to comfort him.
If what he couldn't let go of was money and power, he could have made arrangements for them before the Pope was elected.
Therefore, promising to maintain his power and status as before was not only unrealistic but also highly likely to earn him contempt.
So, he tried to comfort him from the perspective of his faith and his deceased friend.
Indeed, after hearing Augustus's words, the Former Papal Chamberlain first paused, then, as if a great burden had been lifted, he looked up at the sky and showed a long-lost smile.
Watching him, Augustus felt both relieved and helpless.
Using his faith to comfort him indeed had an extraordinary effect.
But why did he dare to say those things?
Wasn't it because those things were impossible to verify?
The Sistine Chapel is not far from the Papal Apartments; the Sistine Chapel itself is part of the Papal Palace.
The Papal Palace contains the Papal Apartments, various Vatican institutions, numerous chapels, halls, and chambers, serving as the central hub of global Catholicism and the Pope's palace.
The Sistine Chapel, as part of it, besides being used for Papal Elections, serves as the Pope's private chapel on weekdays and also functions partly as a museum and library.
The Papal Palace has over a thousand rooms; if the Pope's Chamberlain hadn't led him, he would have had difficulty finding it.
Besides the Pope himself, the Papal Palace also housed various logistical staff responsible for the Pope's food and daily life, including the Pope's Chamberlain.
However, at this time, the Former Papal Chamberlain's belongings had already been moved back to his original residence, and the room that belonged to him would remain vacant until a new Pope's Chamberlain was appointed and moved in.
Passing through long corridors adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, they arrived at the Papal Apartments.
Pushing open the door, Caesar immediately understood what was truly meant by "high-end, grand, and tasteful; understated, luxurious, and profound."
All the building materials for the entire Papal Apartments were exquisite selections gathered from around the world.
The entire apartment was spacious and bright, at least ten times larger than his previous residence, and priceless treasures and frescoes were abundant.
Yet, despite being an apartment whose cost was immeasurable, it somehow lacked any sense of vulgarity or ostentation akin to a nouveau riche, instead exuding profound heritage.
The art treasures from various periods all showcased the extraordinary artistic cultivation of the apartment's owner.
Although this had nothing to do with him, Caesar was clearly very satisfied with this apartment.
Moreover, from a practical perspective, the facilities in this apartment were also complete.
Aside from things impossible in this era like televisions, computers, and air conditioners, everything needed was available; it could almost be said to be the highest configuration of its time.
"Your Holiness, if there's nothing else, I will take my leave.
For any other questions, you can ask the attendants here."
He didn't forget to give instructions for after his departure, indicating that he was indeed a very responsible Pope's Chamberlain.
Augustus's good impression of him increased by a few points, but it was limited to that.
A loyal minister does not serve two masters; no matter how good his impression was, letting him remain in office might not be good for either party, so it was naturally impossible.
"Goodbye.
The Lord will bless you."
If there truly was their so-called Lord, he would surely bless him, but who knows?
Anyway, he was now essentially their Lord's spokesperson; if he said it would be, then it would be, Augustus thought casually.