The Accidental Pope (66 page)
Read The Accidental Pope Online
Authors: Ray Flynn
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Meghan Kelly was putting Roger's new back-to-school clothes away and looking out of the corner of her eye at the TV. Roger was watching the events from Rome. She also noticed a photo of Bill and Mary Kelly's wedding on the fireplace. Just then the phone rang. “Hello. Colleen, we were wondering where you were. Still at the admissions office?”
Meghan listened a moment and let out a joyous cry. “How wonderful! A full scholarship? Books and everything?”
“That's right, Meg. Boston College said they recognized that popes do not have pensions or life insurance policies. I'll be home as soon as I can make it.”
“We'll be waiting. We're watching the conclave. It's kind of strange. Being on the outside looking in on the Vatican again through TV.”
Meghan hung up the phone and stared out the window, looking down to the fishing dock below. The beautiful, bright, late-August sunlight was glancing off the boats. She saw a tall, young, rugged, and handsome fisherman walking toward the house carrying a duffel bag over his shoulder. She froze for a few seconds. Then she heard Roger call out, “Meghan, it's Ryan. He's home from the sea!”
I would like to dedicate this labor of love,
The Accidental Pope,
to my loyal and wonderful wife, Kathy, and our six children, Ray Jr., Edward, Julie, Nancy, Kate, and Maureen. And of course, our grandson, James Flynn Long, and his dad, Jamie Long.
Thanks to my brothers Dennis, Steve and wife Bridie, and Al for their loyalty and support throughout the years. In telling Dennis how much he means to me, I also want to thank his wife, Rosemary, and their four wonderful childrenâSheila and Danny Kelly, Colleen, Dunnie, and John Mannion, Tara and Kaitlyn and their special grandson Brian, and also Jake for their love.
To our trusted friends the Foley FamilyâJerry, Marianne, and son Michaelâwho is a real credit. A special thank-you to Matthew from Catholic University of America for his help and research, along with Patrick, Caitlyn, Meghan, Jeremiah, and Brendan. To Mike Degulis, a great friend, proofreader, and attorney, and his parents Janice and Dr. Joe. My deepest thanks to dear friend Kristen Hansen for her tireless effort in helping make this book a reality.
What a pleasure to get to know a genius, noted bestselling author
Robin Moore
, who taught me so much about writing and the ability to express my thoughts and experiences in words. My gratitude to his dear wife, Mary Olga, and his brother, Attorney John Moore, who suggested contacting St. Martin's Press with the draft manuscript. Richard J. Lynch and his wife, Sara, can indeed be given credit for the idea in the construction of this novel.
To John Kilcommons and Suzie and their children Jack, Meghan, and Maureen. John is special and has always been there for me. Laurie, Brian Wallace, and sons Cullen and Brendan, you can't get more loyal friends.
Thanks to State Representative Jim Hart and Professor Bob Evans.
There are so many other people who have touched my life and helped me with this book who I would like to acknowledge and say a special thank-you to: Jim and Kathy Long, a better family Julie could have never met. Laura and Garrath Conachy. Katie and Bob Hayden. Authors Doris and Dick Goodwin. Joe Fisher, Charlie, Mary Burke, Attorney Harry Grill and his wife, Betsy, who have always been there. Father Richard Shmaruk of St. Columbkille's Church for his advice and direction, and whose great writing skills should be encouraged. Monsignor Tom McDonnell, St. Augustine's Church. Roger Oliveira and parents Rogerio and Maria. John Hill, whose devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is unmatched and whose contributions to this book are deeply appreciated. Tom Coyne and his daughters.
The William Morris Agency, Jim Griffin and Mel Berger, better agents you could never have.
Mr. Alex Ghattas, our personal musical consultant, whose musical expertise is most greatly appreciated.
My pals Fran and Joan Coyne, their children and grandchildren. John and Carol and their children. Mary Downs, who will always be with us. Ted Downs and all his children and grandchildren. Brian and Kerry O'Hearn and their children. Frank and Maura Doyle and their children.
Friends at the U.S. Vatican Embassy. Mirella and Lou Giacolone, Evelyn McWade, Claudio Manno, Umberto Bernadini, Fabio Tombasi, Gerry Masaro, Giovanni, Marco Nasso, Piero Fratecceli, Stefano, Aida, Ofelia, Seri and Santiago and Livia Curzi.
Cardinal Law and the late Cardinal O'Connor of New York, true men of God!
Boston labor leader Joe Quilty. Uncle Eddie and Mary Kirby and their children.
Lloyd MacDonald, Monsignor Tim Dolan (a priest's priest), Paul Quinn, Fran and Franny Duggan. Jack Barry, Will McDonough, Ronnie Perry, Vinnie Collins, Don Murray, Sis and Doc Tynan. A great man, John Dorion, and his dear wife, Lil. Bob and Kathy Walton. Mickey's at the Pantheon. Agusto at the Giancolo, Joe Callahan and Frank Fallon. Father Gerry Barry. Dan Horgan of the
South Boston Tribune.
Joe Mullaney and Dave Gavitt, and my Providence College teammates. Scoop Canavan, Father James Quigley, O.P., Jimmy Foley from J.J. Foley's. Dave Burke and Ned McGinley of the The Ancient Order of Hibernians. A real gentleman, Jeremiah Foley, and his wife, Eileen (gone, but not forgotten). Evelyn and Ken Lyons and all my good friends at N.A.G.E. My godchildren: Sheila Kelly, Jeremiah Foley, Ann Flynn, Jennifer Hurley, Matthew Doyle, Maura Coyne, Kevin Paul, Owen Costello, and Michael Coyne.
Marie Donovan, Gerry Dooley, John Nucci, John Martin. Neighbors Rosie and Bernie McCarthy, Jack Nee and Ellie Matulivich, Anne, Mickey, and Mary Burke. Ann and Kevin Phelan, Attorney Phil Fina.
To my great parish, Gate of Heaven, all my neighbors of South Boston, where I am so proud to have lived all my life.
Two outstanding physicians, Dr. Sheila MacDonnell and Dr. Kenneth MacDonnell, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Ray and Mary Teatum. Paul O'Dwyer. All at the Farragut House. New York City policeman Steve McDonald and wife, Patti Ann, who taught us how to forgive one another. Tricia and Frankie Murray, in memory of Eddie Sheehy. Attorney Phil Moran and wife Carol. Attorney Dennis Lynch of New York, a heroic pro-life leader of Catholic Alliance. Gerry and Anne Ridge. Father Jim Lane, Dr. Al Arcidi, a special friend, Betty Mahoney, Pat Morelli, Charlene Bizokas, Dottie Mahoney, Anne McDonnell, Janet Healey, and Geri O'Shea.
My great dad and mom, Steve and Lil Flynn, Kathy's dad and mom, Frank and Winnie Coyne. Four wonderful parents.
To the entire staff at St. Martin's Press and to respected editor Diane Higgins and Patricia Fernandez, with gratitude for their confidence.
Lastly, Ray Jr., for your passionate devotion to your Catholic faith. Your personal courage is an inspiration to all of us. We're proud of you, Ray.
And of course, my deepest respect and love for my friend Pope John Paul II.
Ray Flynn
, October 2001
Ray Flynn
served as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 1993 to 1997 and as the Mayor of Boston from 1984 to 1993. He hosts a daily, nationally syndicated political television talk show and lives in Boston. You can sign up for email updates
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Robin Moore
(1925â2008) is the best selling author of
The French Connection
and
The Green Beret.
He lived in Concord, Massachusetts. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
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Contents
8. Irish Bread with Caraway Seeds
15. Weakness Reaching Out to Weakness in Love
23. Mark McGwire Photo at the Vatican
24. Peter II among the Tourists
28. The Eastern Orthodox Conspiracy
43. Home is the Captain, Home from the Sea
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or used fictitiously.
THE ACCIDENTAL POPE
. Copyright © 2000 by Ray Flynn and Robin Moore. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].
eISBN 9781250090287
First eBook edition: June 2015