Nikita Roncalli - Hutton Gibson

eceived in the Gran Magistero’s Rome office a letter from
cardinal Canali, heavy as a massive boulder: Pius XII,
protector of the Order, had just learned, with great pain,
that the minister of the Order of Malta in Paris was a
freemason. They hastened, in the Magistral palace of the
Via dei Condotti, to rummage through the file of baron
Marsaudon, recently appointed in place of count Pierredon,
who had been retired. It was discovered, with a certain
relief, that he had been made “Grand Cross of Magistral
Grace” at the suggestion of his predecessor and, above all,
appointed minister on recommendation by the nuncio in
Paris, Roncalli.
The outcome of that first investigation was immediately
reported to the Vatican, to cardinal Canali, who was heard
crying:
”Poor Roncalli! I’m sorry I have to embarrass him and I
hope that this would not cost him the cardinalitial
galero…” The Vatican arranged in the strictest reserve that
the Order send a trusted person to Paris at once, to carry out
in depth the delicate discovery. The Great Magisterium was
in an awkward situation. All three personages involved in
the story had indeed to be treated with regard. The nuncio,
for his precious contribution to the Order of Malta in the
closing of certain business deals in Argentina; count
Pierredon for his lengthy services, first at Bucharest, and
then at Paris; Baron Marsaudon himself for his meritorious
commitment in order to obtain the official recognition of
the Order by the French government. After a careful and
accurate selection was named “Magistral Visitor” a