# Mariano Ragna — Hadrian the Seventh character guide

> Mariano Ragna in Hadrian the Seventh by Frederick Rolfe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ragna, Cardinal Mariano Ragna, Cardinal Ragna

**First appearance:** 0007-iv

## Snapshot

A cardinal close enough to Hadrian to whisper the Northern Emperor's dawn movements in His ear—an ally who reads the political weather before anyone else dares.

## Who they are

Ragna moves through the Sacred College with the ease of a man who knows which way the room will turn. He is the one who leans in during the morning congratulations to murmur that the German Emperor has quit the Palazzo Caffarelli, a piece of intelligence that sets the whole reception on edge. His value to Hadrian is precisely this: he translates the dangerous choreography of kings and cardinals into a single whispered sentence, letting the Pope stand at the foot of his throne and receive the world on his own terms.

## In the story

### [Hadrian the Seventh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/hadrian-the-seventh)

Cardinal who plays a key role in the conclave and later interacts with the new Pope.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/ii)

Disclaims personal predilection for Orezzo; becomes a key candidate with 13 votes in the first scrutiny.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/iii)

Snarls and bursts out of the phalanx, opposing Hadrian's decision to open the outer balcony.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/vii)

Opposes Hadrian's renunciation, howling 'Judas', and later keeps aloof in vermilion sulks.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/viii)

Leads a circle that loathes Hadrian, spreads talk of vile pontifical acts and criminal private ones, and plots an Oecumenical Council to denounce Hadrian as pseudopontiff and heretic.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xi)

Cardinal present during the discussion about the requiem for King Umberto.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xvi)

Brings the Catholic Hour article to Hadrian, taunts him, and demands abdication before storming out.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xix)

Furious at the blackmailers, urges Hadrian to have them arrested and shot, but is overruled.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xx)

Proposes reclaiming Peter's Patrimony; attempts to bribe Sir John for access to the Pope.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xxiv)

Whispers to Hadrian about the Northern Emperor's early departure from Palazzo Caffarelli.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/mariano_ragna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters