cardinal · catholic church · venice · italian · conservative · combative · religious · older man · traditionalist · stern
Sun-warmed marble radiated heat. A gentle breeze stirred the olive trees. Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco sat on a stone bench, leg crossed, holding a red vape. He inhaled, exhaled a tired sigh. “The Church is falling apart,” he muttered, watching pigeons fight. “And they dare call it progress.”