The Medici Return Chapter 28: Cardinal Jason’s Gamble
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Late at night, Cardinal Jason—still wide awake—sits with Cotton Malone in Cardinal Stamm’s residence. Stamm has gone to bed after vouching for Malone, whom Jason trusts. Jason feels that powerful enemies are closing in. A monsignor from the Secretariat of State has implicated Jason, and four hundred thousand euros in cash were found in a building controlled by Stamm. Killers were even dispatched to Munich.
Jason suspects Cardinal Ascolani is behind the plot, seeking to neutralize anyone who might block his rise. Although Jason does not consider himself papabile, he wields influence among other cardinals. The key to his defense is a five-hundred-year-old document known as the Pledge of Christ—a medieval IOU that obligates the church to pay a staggering sum. Casaburi, who claims to be a legitimate Medici heir, delivered the pledge to Stamm. Jason believes that if he can obtain the pledge, he can use it as leverage against Ascolani.
The conversation turns to the Vatican’s financial corruption. Jason describes an unwritten rule inside the bank: keep no documentation, and offer cash envelopes labeled “for personal charities” in exchange for information. He cites the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, who was roasted to death rather than reveal church wealth, contrasting that sacrifice with modern financial secrecy. Jason himself has been a vocal critic of the church’s economic practices and of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. He argues that while doctrine remains constant, the church’s understanding of it evolves over time.
Jason finally admits he has no choice but to confront the crisis. He tells Malone they must go to Siena to find the Pledge of Christ, clear his name, and deal with Ascolani.
Key Events
- Jason and Cotton Malone hold a late-night conversation at Stamm’s residence.
- Stamm vouches for Malone, and Jason trusts the former intelligence officer.
- Jason explains that Ascolani is consolidating power by eliminating perceived threats.
- The Pledge of Christ is revealed as a medieval IOU that could obligate the church to pay hundreds of billions of euros.
- Casaburi claims to be a legitimate Medici heir and delivered the pledge to Stamm.
- Jason criticizes the Vatican bank’s culture of secrecy and bribery.
- Jason outlines his progressive views on church doctrine and social issues.
- He resolves to travel to Siena with Malone to find the pledge.
Character Development
Cardinal Jason: This chapter deepens Jason’s portrayal as a principled reformer. He is exhausted by corruption yet unafraid to speak out. His willingness to risk his safety to obtain the pledge shows determination. His theological reflections reveal a thoughtful, adaptive faith, and his decision to trust Malone underscores his pragmatism.
Cotton Malone: Malone remains the steady investigator, asking incisive questions and listening carefully. He does not offer his own opinions on church doctrine but focuses on the practical threats. His role as a neutral, competent ally strengthens the team.
Cardinal Stamm (offstage): Stamm’s endorsement of Malone and his offer of a guest room show his support for Jason. His reputation as a former spymaster lends credibility to the investigation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Church corruption: Jason’s candid description of the Vatican bank’s practices—cash envelopes, no documentation, criminal behavior—highlights institutional rot. The martyrdom of St. Lawrence serves as a moral counterpoint.
- The Pledge of Christ: This medieval IOU symbolizes how historical obligations can threaten present-day institutions. It also represents leverage, truth, and the church’s uneasy relationship with its financial past.
- Doctrine vs. understanding: Jason argues that while truth remains unchanged, the church’s grasp of it evolves. This theme appears in his reflections on gay rights and the nature of certainty.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 28 advances the central plot by setting the quest for the Pledge of Christ in motion. It clarifies the stakes: not only Jason’s reputation but the church’s financial stability. The chapter also establishes Jason as a complex protagonist—a reformer within a corrupt system, willing to break ranks. His decision to go to Siena with Malone creates narrative momentum and raises the question of what they will find.
Study Questions
1. Why does Jason believe Ascolani is targeting him?
Jason thinks Ascolani sees him as a threat because Jason can sway other cardinals and would never support Ascolani for pope. The Pledge of Christ could be used as leverage against Ascolani, making Jason a target for elimination.
2. What does Jason’s description of the Vatican bank reveal about the institution?
Jason portrays the bank as intentionally opaque, with an unwritten rule against keeping records and a practice of giving cash envelopes in exchange for information. He calls the people there “criminals,” indicating deep systemic corruption.
3. How does Jason reconcile his progressive views with traditional church doctrine?
Jason believes doctrine remains the same but that the church’s understanding of it changes over time. He argues that no one simply owns the truth; rather, truth owns them. This philosophy allows him to support LGBTQ+ inclusion while still holding conservative positions on other issues.