The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 3

"The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 3" by Émile Zola is a novel from the late 19th century that explores the intricate interplay of religion, power, and social dynamics within the context of the Catholic Church and its followers in Rome. The narrative is centered around the character Pierre, a young priest who grapples with his faith and ideals amidst the backdrop of a pivotal pilgrimage event, highlighting the contrast between the spiritual and temporal realms as emblematic figures like Pope Leo XIII come to the forefront. The opening of the novel situates Pierre in Rome, where he meets Monsignor Nani after a long day of reflection near the Vatican. Nani invites Pierre to witness the upcoming reception of the Peter's Pence Fund, an international pilgrimage aimed at consolidating the Church’s power and presence. As the ceremony unfolds, Pierre observes the fervent adoration of the crowds toward the pope, leading him to a profound internal conflict regarding the nature of faith and idolatry. Amidst the tumult of faith and political maneuvering, he begins to grasp the profound implications of the Church's temporal power and its impact on his personal aspirations for a rejuvenated Christianity, setting the stage for his ongoing struggles throughout the volume. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Émile Édouard Charles Antoine Zola was a French novelist, journalist, playwright, the best-known practitioner of the literary school of naturalism, and an important contributor to the development of theatrical naturalism. He was a major figure in the political liberalization of France and in the exoneration of the falsely accused and convicted army officer Alfred Dreyfus, which is encapsulated in his renowned newspaper opinion headlined J'Accuse…!  Zola was nominated for the first and second Nobel prizes in literature in 1901 and 1902.