"He prayed for the repose of Joseph's soul. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Joseph, his hands rough as wood, lapping into folds the long crimson sash made in Rome, then carefully placing the crimson biretta on top. I, born a stableman's son, was instructed my first day as cardinal, by Joseph, a peasant from Kripke Province. 'A cardinal must be seen by the people, Eminence. That's what the old cardinal said. And he said the red robes a cardinal wears are in memory of the blood Christ spilled for us. So wear them in honor, Eminence. Now let me help you with that sash.' Joseph. Oh, Joseph." Chapter 1, p. 5

"At the far end of the room was a small prie-dieu. A red votive candle burned there under a lithograph of the bruised Christ-face found on the Turin shroud. He...