Pope

"From this day forth, all Magi shall be considered heretics, menaces to society, and enemies of the state."

—The Pope, during part of the opening texts of Rosenkreuzstilette ~Freudenstachel~

The Pope, also referred to as "his Holiness" by the members of Schwarzkreuz, is a major character in the Rosenkreuzstilette series who appears to be the main antagonist of Rosenkreuzstilette ~Freudenstachel~. He is a powerful clergyman and high-ranking member of the Holy Empire and Orthodox Church who establishes the Schwarzkreuz organization and oversees its operations in ~Freudenstachel~. Pamela Arwig, captain of Schwarzkreuz, answers directly to him.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The Pope created Schwarzkreuz and started the Empire's witch hunts in response to Michael Zeppelin's ill-fated rebellion that was forced to cease the moment his daughter revealed that she started Rosenkreuzstilette's coup against the Empire for her amusement. He declared that all Magi were to be labeled as heretics, menaces to society, and enemies of the state. He also issued the order to capture the Magi unharmed and throw them into camps, and decreed that Spiritia Rosenberg was to be captured unharmed and immediately if the purge was to have any hope of success.

In Rosenkreuzstilette ~Weißsilber~, after Pamela defeated eight of the members of RKS, she was informed to her disbelief and horror by Recht & Link Refraktia that the Pope had branded her as a heretic. They gave her a letter in his handwriting stating his decree as it reads: "Pamela, daughter of the noble House of Arwig, is hereby relieved of duty. For deserting her post and turning her back on God, her punishment is exile and excommunication. She is thus stripped of all titles and authority, and shall henceforth be known as a heretic and enemy of the state. May God have mercy on her soul." This set in motion Pamela's resolve to find, expose, and slay her vilifier.

Ultimately, it is revealed that the Pope did not actually create Schwarzkreuz, but rather, it was a sham produced by Iris Zeppelin and Eifer Skute. Eifer murdered the Pope and replaced him with a homunculus posing as him. Schwarzkreuz and the Empire were left in shambles the minute Iris revealed the truth about the witch hunts and became neutral to RKS following Iris' second defeat.

Spoilers end here.

Trivia

• The Pope is one of the few characters in the Rosenkreuzstilette series that remains unseen throughout the franchise alongside Rosenkreuz and the Emperor.
• The Pope was not given a name despite being an important character.

Characters in the Rosenkreuzstilette series