Declan Walsh was a Marine officer in World War II in the Pacific. He began the practice of law, but stayed in the reserves. During the Korean police action he was re-called to active duty with the rank of colonel. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving his command when the Chinese army pushed into the conflict. He returned to his legal life and was named Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His wife, Kate, was killed in an automobile accident in Washington, D.C., and Declan, surprisingly, resigned as Chief Justice and went to a Trappist monastery in South Carolina.

The Roman Pontiff has been killed and the conclave of prelates has gathered at St. Peter's in Rome to elect a new Pope. Declan Walsh, a lay person, is put forward as a potential candidate. A vot…