Matthai Reese

Matthai Reese (マタイ＝リース Matai Rīsu) is a character first introduced in the Toaru Majutsu no Index series. He's the Pope of the Roman Orthodox Church and acted as the church's false leader as well as the most powerful man in the entrie Magic Side. He appeared in the God's Right Seat Arc where he served as the false antagonist until the introduction of Fiamma of the Right which revealed Reese to be nothing more but a mere puppet. He served as the Pope for much of World War III until its conclusion where he resigned and gave the position over to Pietro Yogdis but still remains an adherent and member of the church.

Etymology
The katana refered to his name is the same one the Japanese use to refer to St Matthew the Apostle, likely derived from his Hebrew name Mattay (מתי).

Appearance
Matthai Reese is a stern looking old man with a long white beard that covers much of his face. He wears a Papal Regalia and is covered in white robes with a red and green cape with gold cloths covering his shoulders and a gold cross necklace as well. He carries around a staff with a crucified Christ on one side and the hanging body of Judas on the other.

Personality
Like all the Popes, Matthai Reese is devout to the Roman Catholic faith and is deeply religious. He is devout to the Roman Orthodox Church and he strongly believes in the church and the Roman Church doctrines as well. He often has a hard time connecting with the masses and wonders how Laura Stuart of the Anglican Church could connect so easily. He is very protective of the Roman Orthodox Church and is willing to go far in order to protect it such as deploying the Queen of the Adriatic Sea and approaving of and launching the Invasion of Academt City. Due to his overprotective nature of the church, he was willing to have Touma Kaimjou be decalred a heretic and must be killed once the Magic Side knows of his existance and Imagine Breaker. Despite this however, he is still remorseful as he had a form of disdain when summoned to St Peter's Basilica late at night by Vento of the Front to have Touma be labeled a heretic and an enemy of God and was annoyed with being the servant of Fiamma of the Right and having to do his bidding. When Fiamma had betrayed Pope Reese during World War III, he was willing to sacrifice himself ot protect the Vatican and while much of St Peter's Basilica was destroyed, he lived and was unwilling to allow the church to be betrayed in such a way.