Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the main topics in the book. The book begins in the early 1900s and follows the activities of the Church throughout the end of World War I, through World War II, the reigns of Mussolini and Hitler and into the modern era.

The main proponent of the Church in this story is Don Carlo Campanati. Since his youth Don Carlo was destined for greatness. He became a priest at a young age and rose quickly in the Catholic Church. It was always Carlo's desire to become Pope when the time was right.

Carlo is so devoted to the Church, his values and good works that he all but ignores everything else, even his family duties.

Toomey struggles greatly with his homosexuality and how it wars with his values and the values of the Church. Although Toomey accepts his orientation...