The Reorganization

Cardinal Charles T. Gregory, Archbishop of Boston, after securing the Pope's permission, sells his hospitals to raise funds to rebuild his schools. His new school system becomes the talk of the country and the Pope brings him to Rome to run the Vatican's Education Department.

The Pope becomes ill with incurable leukemia and Cardinal Gregory wants to be the next Pope. But the Papacy is not an office to be run for as is the American Presidency, and the Pope cannot appoint or recommend his successor, but wily cardinals find ways to enhance their positions.

Greg becomes one of those wily, scheming, Machiavellian cardinals. After the Pope dies, Greg is elected Pope. He's the first American Pope.

After a short time in office, Greg reorganizes the governance of the Church creating an uproar, especially in the American Church. The American bishops and cardinals reject Pope Gregory's reorganization plan because they see it as a scheme to take away their authority and autonomy.

Pope Greory has a full-blown mutiny on his hands.