Since Devon was going to stand before the Pope when he swore his alleiigance, he thought it best to wear his most professional looking outfit. Even though he had stared down cold blooded killers without blinking, he found that he was becoming quite apprehensive as his meeting with the leader of the world’s largest and most powerful religion drew near. The whole process of getting ready for his day, seemed to help him stay focused and served to take his mind off of the enormity of what he was going to be doing. The Pope had virtually unlimited power and certainly had more money than any living human being has ever amassed in recorded history. So yes this was quite an honor for him to be standing so close to him. He also couldn’t believe that this same man would actually be willing to marry him and Jennie. He had to pinch himself to make sure this was not a dream. His life had taken so many twists and turns, that it made him dizzy thinking about them.
Thomas Jenner true to his word was waiting for him at noon the next day. Devon kissed Jennie as he walked out the front door. The ride to the Vatican was quite short, and thanks to their official car and Jenner’s credentials they were able to pass through the Vatican’s security checkpoints in short order. Jenner parked their car in a restricted parking garage (Parking Risorgimento) that included video surveillance and accommodating staff. To enter the Vatican proper, Jenner and Devon went through a security checkpoint that included walking through a metal detector, placing personal belongings in a tray to be scanned, and having their clothing and attire checked. This was infact similar to airport security process that Devon and Jennie had went through the day before at Dulles Airport in Washington DC. There was a slight twist with additional scrutiny being present in the more sensitive areas that they were accessing. The Vatican’s security force, the Swiss Guard, was primarily responsible for protecting these areas as well as the Pope, Cardinals and other high-ranking officials who were commonly present at the Vatican.
While Devon would be an integral part of the Gendarmerie guarding the Pope would only be a small role. He would be involved in situations where his skill set would be more appropriate. He after all spent years in investigative work and undercover, so he would be on special assignments for the Pope and the Vatican and would only serve as a component of the Swiss Guard when they needed back-up. Since he would fill in when the Swiss Guard needed extra help he would be fitted for a ceremonial uniform that is famous all, over the world. The swearing in ceremony his held every May 6th. He would participate in this ceremony with the new recruits, but in the interim he would swear fealty to the Pope in a private ceremony, with just a few key figures, including the Pope being present. For the most part the role he played in serving the Pope would be kept secret, and on a need to no basis.
The oath that Devon will swear is as follows: “I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff and his legitimate successors and I dedicate myself to them with all my strength.” It is a brief and succinct oath that has served the Roman Catholic Church well for centuries. Devon would not be required to shave his signature beard for the initial ceremony, but he will be required to have it shaved off for the May ceremony. The Pope stated that he wanted Devon to maintain his beard because it would help him to blend in better with the general populace.
The swearing in ceremony for the new recruits. The Swiss Guard is the world’s smallest army and was founded in 1506 by Pope Julis II.
The training regime for the Vatican Gendarmerie involves a rigorous physical fitness test, a strong emphasis on moral character, and a comprehensive training program that includes both theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement, often in collaboration with the Italian police, with a focus on security protocols within Vatican City, including counter-terrorism measures; recruits must be Catholic, typically between 21 and 30 years old, and undergo a two-year probationary period before becoming fully fledged Gendarmes.
Key aspects of the training:
Spiritual formation:Given the religious nature of the Vatican, training also includes a focus on spiritual development.
Strict eligibility criteria:Applicants must be practicing Catholics, meet height requirements, and have a clean criminal record.
Physical fitness testing:Includes running, agility drills, and strength exercises to ensure high physical capability.
Academic training:Covers legal principles, police procedures, firearms handling, and security protocols specific to Vatican City.
Practical training:On-the-ground experience patrolling Vatican City, securing Papal events, and managing potential security threats.
Collaboration with other forces:Training may involve cooperation with Italian police and other international law enforcement agencies.
Specialization options: Some Gendarmes may receive additional training in areas like counter-terrorism or explosive detection.
When Devon was finally ready to swear his oath of Allegiance to the Pope, he was sweating bullets. Archbishop Peter Ignastius, the papal household prefect had been wonderful in allying his fears, but it still didn’t help much. He had just never been this nervous in his life before. He didn’t know what it was, but being in his presence made him very apprehensive. Maybe it was the fact that he had killed several people. However, in the eyes of the Lord, he had been absolved of his sins. He hoped with time that he would be more comfortable around such holiness. Devon, by nature, wasn’t a bad person. He just lived by a set of standards and held certain values that most people did not live by or follow. Maybe he was a dinosaur, something long extinct or, at the very least, an endangered species.
All he knew was when he stood before the Pope, and he felt the warmth of his smile on him. He immediately called down. Devon, for the first time, realized what true greatness and godliness were all about. Where there had been turmoil, there was now serenity and equanimity. He breezed through the oath that he had memorized. When he was done, he kneeled down on one knee and kissed the papal ring. For better or worse, he had sworn allegiance to not only the Pope but the Roman Catholic Church.
As Devon excited the hall, Jenner, as if on cue, met him. As he led Devon to the exit, he exclaimed to Devon, “You have had quite a day. Tomorrow, you will begin your training in earnest. I will pick you up at 7 am sharp. I will pick you up for the first week, but after that, it is expected that you will have made arrangements for transportation. If there are any issues with finances, arrangements can be made for assistance. One more thing, training for the Gendarmerie typically lasts 24 months. However, that is for untrained individuals. Which, as I understand, it hardly applies to you. It is expected and hoped that your training will take less than 6 months. So, no pressure.” Finished Jenner as he smiled at Devon.
Devon replied, “Finances won’t be a problem.”
When Devon entered Jennie and his apartment, he was greeted by a big kiss and a series of rapid-fire questions. Devon held up his hands in a surrender. “Honey, please let me catch my breath and at least take my shoes off. My feet are killing me. I am not used to wearing these paten leather dress shoes.” After he took his shoes off and sat down, he began to answer Jennie’s question as best he could. Finally, after several requests for more detailed information, she was satisfied.
When Devon finished, Jennie chimed in, ” Honey, I know there was some food in the kitchen for us, but it is very limited, so we are going to have to do some shopping. I also think we should work on getting a car.” Of course, Jennie had not been sitting on her laurels while Devon began his new career with the gendarmerie. I have listed below the information she found out on the driver’s licenses. *
* To get an Italian driver’s license, US citizens must: Pass a written test, Pass a driving test, Pass a medical examination, Provide relevant documents, and Apply for an Italian license within one year of registering as a resident.
The US and Italy do not have a reciprocal agreement for driver’s license recognition, so you can’t simply exchange your US license for an Italian one.
If you’re visiting Italy as a tourist, you can drive with a US driver’s license for up to 12 months. You can also get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA, which translates your identifying information into different languages. An IDP is recommended, but optional.
If you’re planning to live in Italy long-term, you’ll need to get an Italian driver’s license. You can apply for a new IDP by mail through AAA if your permit expires while abroad.
According to what Jennie found out on the Internet, they had some time before they had to get Italian driver’s licenses. Which was good news for them because they both needed to learn to speak and read Italian. The second thing she found out was where they could take Italian language lessons.
Their first priority was to go grocery shopping. Once they had their refrigerator and pantry stocked, they tackled the next thing on their to-do list, and that was to register for language lessons. Since they had the rest of this week to get a car, they opted to wait to Saturday to go shopping for a car.
Watching regular television wasn’t very enjoyable because it was all in Italian, so they were limited to watching YouTube videos and surfing the net, thanks to Netflix, they could at least watch some movies. After all, they had to find other things to do besides making love, no matter how enjoyable it was.
The first week went by like a blur, Devon’s previous training a a expected gave him a definite advantage over the other candidates. When Saturday came around, Devon was definitely ready to get a car, while Jenner was nice and all. He was a bit of a stuffed shirt.
Devon had always liked the look of the Alpha Romeo cars. So they bought new Giula Sprint.
Jenner had already provided Devon with appropriate tags and IDs for a car, as a kind if not too subtle hint that he needed to get a car sooner rather than later. So he was already for the following week. As a courtesy, Devon texted Jenner to let him know that he had a car. Devon really wasn’t sure if Jenner was serious about picking him up on Monday or not. You just could never with him, but regardless, he had a car, so it was no longer an issue. Besides, Jennie looked damn sexy driving it. Jennie decided that she would take him to work a couple of times a week so that she could get out and explore some. Their clothes and personal items were expected to arrive by Wednesday. So, now, at least, their wardrobe would be a little more varied.
Devon and Jennie decided to wait to get married until he finished his training. After he finished being trained, he would be eligible for some vacation time, so they thought this would be a perfect time for their wedding and honeymoon.
Jennie decided to apply for law school after they got back from their honeymoon. This delay in entering law school would give her about six months to become fluent in the Italian language. Devon already having a rudimentary knowledge of the language should be able to do this even faster.
The next six months went by like a blur. Devon’s training went well, and as anticipated, he was way ahead of the curve. While Devon was at work, Jennie studied law. Their evenings were no less busy because on three of their nights they went to night school to learn Italian, and on the weekends, they explored the surrounding countryside.
Finally, after exploring most of Italy, they chose where they wanted to take their honeymoon. The Dolomites, also known as the Italian Alps, without a doubt, are the most scenic region of Italy. Even with their hectic schedule, they still found time for romance. They frequently went out to eat and hit the popular night clubs in Rome for dancing. As time went by, their love continued to grow. Italy, after all, is one of the most romantic countries in the world. Venice, with its gondola rides, has to be the most romantic city in Europe, with Paris being a distant second.
As Devon’s training began to draw to a close, he contacted Monsignor Thomas Bianchi, the matter of ceremonies about their wedding. Of course, he had to be very gentle about it because the Pope was under no obligation to perform their wedding ceremony. Devon need not have worried because the Pope had actually brought up the subject to The Monsignor. He was looking forward to performing the ceremony. The Pope actually had proposed two dates that would work for him. Devon, being anxious to get married, chose the earliest date, which was just three weeks away.
Finally, Devon’s training was over. There was no ceremony because he finished so much earlier than the class he started with. He had to show that he had a firm grasp of the required skills by completing a week long practicum. When it was over, Devon and Jenny went out and celebrated. His finishing his training signified that time was drawing nearer for their wedding. They were down to just two weeks now. As the time drew nearer, Jennie became more anxious. Finally, the time came for Jennie’s mother to come to Italy. Devon hoped that having her mother by her side would help to calm Jennie’s nerves.
Jennie called her mother and told her that a first-class round trip ticket had been purchased. All she had to do was go on line print her ticket. Both routes to and from Rome were direct flights. Jennie’s mother would arrive one week before the wedding, this would give them time to catch up and for Mrs Simmons to recover from jet lag. Devon still did not feel comfortable calling Jennie’s mother mom yet. Jennie’s mother would be surprised when she arrived in Rome because they both now spoke Italian like natives. Being emmersed in a foreign country where you are continuously exposed to the language definitely sped up the learning process. It also didn’t hurt that their language instructor was an excellent teacher.