TV-Series
Description
Pope Matthai Reese held the positions of Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church throughout much of the God's Right Seat conflict. An elderly man with a stern visage, he possessed a long white beard and wore traditional papal regalia, including a distinctive crosier featuring a crucified Christ on one end and the hanged body of Judas on the other. His given name's katakana spelling aligns with the Japanese reference to Matthew the Apostle, likely derived from the Hebrew name Mattay, though his papal name remained unspecified.
Elected to his office, Matthai adhered strongly to Roman Catholic doctrines yet expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process, believing the majority who voted for him lacked holy value. He felt disconnected from ordinary believers and envied Anglican Archbishop Laura Stuart's effortless connection with her constituents despite her high rank. His leadership displayed pragmatism; learning of Kamijou Touma's Imagine Breaker ability, he was persuaded by God's Right Seat to declare Touma a heretic and threat. He authorized military actions against Touma, including deploying the La Regina del Mare Adriatico and invading Academy City to eliminate him.
Despite this willingness to employ violence for the Church's protection, Matthai possessed an inherently kind nature, acknowledged by Laura Stuart. He preferred negotiation over conflict, exemplified by authorizing targeted strikes to avoid broader warfare and negotiating with the Anglican Church during tensions. He believed Touma could be redeemed rather than executed, advocating for Acqua of the Back to remove Touma's right hand instead of killing him. Matthai's internal conflict intensified as he questioned God's Right Seat's methods, particularly following Terra of the Left's excessive use of civilians in the Document of Constantine operation and Acqua of the Back's independent actions.
Matthai's pivotal moment came when Fiamma of the Right, whom he had unwittingly served, revealed plans to instigate global war. Recognizing Fiamma's threat, Matthai attempted to trap Fiamma's soul for 40 years using a spell but failed. He intervened directly, using his body to shield a populated Roman street from Fiamma's destructive magic. This act, intended as a heroic sacrifice, ultimately spared Vatican City and much of Rome, though Matthai survived. Following World War III, the Roman Catholic Church underwent reorganization. Matthai resigned his position, endorsed Pietro Yogdis as his successor, and facilitated a peaceful transition of power before stepping down.
Elected to his office, Matthai adhered strongly to Roman Catholic doctrines yet expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process, believing the majority who voted for him lacked holy value. He felt disconnected from ordinary believers and envied Anglican Archbishop Laura Stuart's effortless connection with her constituents despite her high rank. His leadership displayed pragmatism; learning of Kamijou Touma's Imagine Breaker ability, he was persuaded by God's Right Seat to declare Touma a heretic and threat. He authorized military actions against Touma, including deploying the La Regina del Mare Adriatico and invading Academy City to eliminate him.
Despite this willingness to employ violence for the Church's protection, Matthai possessed an inherently kind nature, acknowledged by Laura Stuart. He preferred negotiation over conflict, exemplified by authorizing targeted strikes to avoid broader warfare and negotiating with the Anglican Church during tensions. He believed Touma could be redeemed rather than executed, advocating for Acqua of the Back to remove Touma's right hand instead of killing him. Matthai's internal conflict intensified as he questioned God's Right Seat's methods, particularly following Terra of the Left's excessive use of civilians in the Document of Constantine operation and Acqua of the Back's independent actions.
Matthai's pivotal moment came when Fiamma of the Right, whom he had unwittingly served, revealed plans to instigate global war. Recognizing Fiamma's threat, Matthai attempted to trap Fiamma's soul for 40 years using a spell but failed. He intervened directly, using his body to shield a populated Roman street from Fiamma's destructive magic. This act, intended as a heroic sacrifice, ultimately spared Vatican City and much of Rome, though Matthai survived. Following World War III, the Roman Catholic Church underwent reorganization. Matthai resigned his position, endorsed Pietro Yogdis as his successor, and facilitated a peaceful transition of power before stepping down.