A study of the life of an outstanding and mysterious man, thanks to whom (or through whose fault) the expression "gray cardinal" entered all European languages.He remained in history under the name of Father Joseph - assistant and secret adviser, always behind Cardinal Richelieu, and played a key role in European politics during the Thirty Years' War. Some considered him a saint, others - a monster. Following the most severe rules of monastic piety and never desiring anything for himself personally, he nonetheless easily committed betrayals and crimes when it came to state interests.Who was he, this righteous criminal, firmly sure that he is fulfilling the Higher will?..