The Vatican Diaries
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church
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3.7 • 229 Ratings
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
The New York Times–bestselling inside look at one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious institutions
For more than twenty-five years, John Thavis held one of the most remarkable journalistic assignments in the world: reporting on the inner workings of the Vatican. In The Vatican Diaries, Thavis reveals Vatican City as a place struggling to define itself in the face of internal and external threats, where Curia cardinals fight private wars and sexual abuse scandals threaten to undermine papal authority. Thavis (author of The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age) also takes readers through the politicking behind the election of Pope Francis and what we might expect from his papacy. The Vatican Diaries is a perceptive, compelling, and provocative account of this singular institution and will be of interest to anyone intrigued by the challenges faced by religion in an increasingly secularized world.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"I'm convinced that the backstage reality at the Vatican is infinitely more interesting than the caricature of power and authority that dominates the mainstream media," writes Thavis, former Rome bureau chief at the Catholic News Service. His entertaining and readable book proves his point. Focusing on the reigns of John Paul II and Benedict XVI (neither of whom come off well here), Thavis reveals a great deal about how the Vatican bumbles along. Each chapter focuses on a particular mishap, so readers are sure to be intrigued, whether by "Bones" the story of how a priceless archeological find almost fell to the expansion of the Vatican's parking spaces or a profile of Father Reginald Foster, the Vatican's rebellious, mouthy (and deeply gifted) chief Latinist. The controversies surrounding the sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the ultra-conservative Society of St. Pius X, and the Catholic church's struggles with birth control, AIDS, homosexuality, and celibacy are also all included, revealing just how political the Vatican really is. Given such insight, readers may wish that Thavis had provided his own perspective on if, and how, he kept his own faith while working in such an environment.
Customer Reviews
Well Timed and Thoughtful
This book was an awesome reminder of what truly goes on behind the scenes in some of the Church's most public events; as well as some of their most private events.
If you're looking for shocking disclosures and gossipy bits of information, you won't find it here. Instead, you will find true stories based on sourced facts about some of the most well known Vatican events (as well as some of the more unknown events). Inside, you will find a wealth of interwoven stories about the Vatican, the Papacy and the men behind their regnal names.
A significant portion of the book is used to profile both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Using firsthand knowledge, as well as sources inside the Vatican, this book shows how it goes inside the Vatican, displaying all of the grand moments and the painful moments; side by side without judgement.
Finally The Vatican Diaries finishes on a high note, with some stories about the recently retired Pope, making this a well timed addition to any readers collection.
Overall, this was a great read and highly recommended for anyone, not just Catholics, who wonder what goes on inside the Vatican and what the Papacy is really like.
Vatican Diaries
The author has attempted to equate his importance with those who have actually achieved or have tried to achieve a better life for others. Writing of events,criticizing, belittling and sarcastically commenting on the work of others with no consequence to hisself speaks to the emptiness of the book's content. It is a shameful self-aggrandizement from one who is apparently unaware of his effort to appear important, when he is actually writing about his smallness.
By grace, kindness and openness, the author is given VIP status, but proves he is surely unworthy. He assuredly is unimportant.
If one wishes for unbiased insight into the Vatican, look elsewhere.
Tom Kordonowy
The Vatican Diaries
Well written fascinating account of what goes on behind the closed doors of the Vatican.