The explosive the new york times bestsellernow with a new introduction by the authorwhen hitlers pope, the shocking story of pope pius xii that redefined the history of the twentieth century the washington post was originally published, it sparked a firestorm of controversy both inside and outside the catholic church. John cornwell is in the department of history and philosophy of science at cambridge university. Hitlers pope is a book published in 1999 by the british journalist and author john cornwell that examines the actions of eugenio pacelli, who became pope pius xii, before and during the nazi era, and explores the charge that he assisted in the legitimization of adolf hitlers nazi regime in germany, through the pursuit of a reichskonkordat in 1933. Pope john xii appeared in armor, leading troops to defend the city, driving ottos army back across the tiber river. Unfortunately for everyone else, he was not only pope but the prince of rome at the age of 18. He is an outspoken advocate of human rights, but his critics argue that his policies overlook the rights of women and homosexuals. When hitlers pope, the shocking story of pope pius xii that redefined the history of the twentieth century the washington post was originally published, it sparked a firestorm of controversy both inside and outside the catholic church. It is rumored that he was killed by a jealous husband when the man caught john xii in bed with his wife.
The author, a senior research fellow at jesus college, cambridge, has written some wellknown books on the recent catholic church, including a thief in the night. A very in depth book, and sometimes history can be humorous. John xii was a robber, a murderer, and incestuous person, unworthy to. The secret history of pius xii by john cornwell 19991118 published november 1st 1999 by books on tape, inc. How religion poisons everything, hitchens depends heavily in fact, almost entirely on john cornwells 1999 work hitlers pope. Sancti odonis abbatis cluniacensis secundi opera omnia, juxta editionem d. This 1999 book was wellresearched using recently released vatican documents from that period, and informative. Because the book was first published in 2012, it is not entirely uptodate, but this was not bothersome to me. Opening of pius xii archives will demolish myth of hitler. Pope benedict xvi, pope francis, pope john xii, pope john xxii, pope john xxiii, pope. The hbo show is fiction, but the real youngest pope in history has a reputation as an unreliable ladies man who broke a lot of rules. Another prevatican ii expert in church history, fr.
The pope pius xii controversy intercollegiate studies. Now, awardwinning journalist john cornwell has revisited this seminal work of history with a new introduction that both answers his critics and reaffirms his overall thesis that pius xii, now scheduled to be canonized by the vatican, weakened the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Onofrio panvinio, in the revised edition of bartolomeo platinas book about the popes, added an elaborate note indicating that the legend of pope joan may be based on a mistress of john xii. He was not hitlers pope, but neither was he hitlers adversary. John xii scandalized even the roman society of his day with his. List of books and articles about papal history online. Eugenio pacelli, pope pius xii, has long been the subject of controversy over his failure to speak out against hitlers final solution. Jan, 2017 the show focuses plenty of attention on how young this pope is, but by most accounts, pope john xii, who held the position in the late 10th century, was the real youngest pope in historya mere. The astonishing secret history of the pope who fought hitler. Benedict xii, original name jacques fournier, born, saverdun, near toulouse, francedied april 25, 42, avignon, provence, pope from 34 to 42. In the 1999 book hitlers pope, british journalist john cornwell argued that pope pius xiis career as a diplomat helps explain why he didnt openly condemn the nazi persecution of jews. Examines the papacy of eugenio pacelli, pius xii, pontiff from 1939 to 1958, discussing his failure to speak out against hitlers actions during world war ii, and charging that the pope s behavior was consistent with his dedication to enhancing his own power and his personal antipathy toward the jews. Pope pius xii s secret support for the attempted overthrow of nazi dictator adolf hitler is the subject of a new book that draws on wartime documents.
The verdict of the bishops convened by otto to try pope john xii alluring. He was related to the counts of tusculum, a powerful roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century. John julius norwichs popular history of the papacy finds that the truly. In hitlers pope, awardwinning journalist and roman catholic john cornwell shows that, even well before the holocaust, pope pius xii was instrumental in negotiating an accord that helped the nazis rise to unhindered powerand sealed the fate of the jews in europe. The secret history of pius xii viking, 1999 i feel guilty abandoning this book. Apr 29, 2008 when hitlers pope, the shocking story of pope pius xii that redefined the history of the twentieth century the washington post was originally published, it sparked a firestorm of controversy both inside and outside the catholic church. History of popes popes of the roman catholic church. Roman synod deposed pope john xii from 9011200 church history timeline. In hitlers pope, awardwinning journalist and roman catholic john cornwell shows that, even well before the holocaust, pope pius xii was instrumental in negotiating an accord that helped the nazis rise to unhindered powerand sealed the fate of the jews in. As pope, remember, he could do whatever he wanted without getting into trouble at least until god came calling, but he. Panvinius, in a note to platinas account of pope joan, suggests that the licentiousness of john xii, who, among his numerous mistresses, had one called joan, who exercised the chief influence at rome during his pontificate, may have given rise to the story of pope joan. John slept with his own niece and sisters taking a leaf out of his fathers and possibly mothers book, johns sexual appetites were so great he didnt even stop at his own family.
He also broadened international representation in the college of cardinals and in the roman curia. In the end, this book supports the conclusion of other studies, which have found that pope pius xii was not a saint. Buy a cheap copy of hitlers pope book by john cornwell. Marini ii, agapeti ii, joannis xii, pontificum romanorum, epistolae et privilegia. Marrier, cluniacensis ordinis monachi, et biliothecam patrum ad prelum revocata. Read through to the end of most of these antipius books and you will find that the authors are critical not only of pope pius xii, but also the late pope john paul ii, the positions expressed. The author has delivered an entertaining account of the popes since the founding of the church.
This devastating account of the ecclesiastical career of eugenio pacelli 18761958, who became pope pius xii in 1939, is all the more powerful because british. Alluring and talented, marozia was a powerful noblewoman who became a senatrix and patrician of rome, queen of italy and the mistress, murderess, mother and grandmother of popes. At the request of pope john xii 955964, otto returned to italy, where in 962 he. Pope john paul ii 1978 pope john paul ii is the most traveled pope in history, and has greaty expanded the global reach of catholicism.
A complete history of the popes of rome, from saint peter, the first bishop to pius the ninth. Learn about historical christian events within church history. Octavianus of spoleto was somewhere between the ages of 17 to 24, depending on which. We get a disheartening chapter on pius xi and pius xii, whose fear of. By the way, his son became pope john xiii and died the exact same way. In his book, a complete history of the popes of rome, author louis marie decormenin says. Paul kengor is professor of political science at grove city college. Mar 03, 2020 pope pius xii was silent during the holocaust. The pope would have been believed, whereas the broadcasts of the allies were often shrugged off as war propaganda. But which pope held the longest pontificate or was the youngest at. The young pope changed his name to john becoming only the second pope in history to change his john xii, pope from 955 to 964. Pope john xii 955 to 964 attaining the title of pope at age 18, john xii was quickly deemed lazy and childish. Vatican records will reveal if pope pius xii collaborated. Now, awardwinning journalist john cornwell has revisited this seminal work of history with a new.
If he is not the most awful pope of all time, he is certainly in contention as the most evil. The younger alberic, after the downfall of his mother, marozia 932, was absolute ruler at rome. Before his death he administered an oath 954 to the roman nobles in st. The secret history of pius xii, journalist john cornwell also accused him of being antisemitic and of actively collaborating with the nazis. Hitlers pope, a controversial biography of pius xii by british author john cornwell, published in 1999, claimed the pope was an antisemite who failed to. Tvs young pope is scandalous, but the real youngest. Meet the 11 gay or bisexual catholic popes from history. See all books authored by john paul ii, including catechism of the catholic church, and crossing the threshold of hope, and more on. Anyone interested in the papacy must read this fascinating book.
Cornwell states that he originally intended to write a biography of pius xii that vindicated him. Peters, that on the next vacancy of the papal chair his only son, octavius, should be elected pope. Here is the colorful, panoramic story of seven men who ruled the church of rome at. It is an eye opener regarding the inner workings of the vatican. Roman synod deposed pope john xii 9011200 church history. Unsealing of vatican archives will finally reveal truth. He is a regular feature writer at the sunday times london and the author and editor of four books on science, including power to harm, on the louisville prozac trial, as well as hitlers pope.
Anyone who reads this book must study the book in the light of ronald rychlaks more comprehensive and much better documented hitler, the war and the pope. May 30, 2019 so it is not surprising that when hitchens turns to the topic of the relations between the catholic church and the third reich in his 2007 book god is not great. He was the only son of duke alberic ii of spoleto, then ruler of rome, who ordered octavians election dec. However, before the report was released conspiracy theories started swirling. The secret history of pius xii new ed by cornwell, john isbn. The young pope changed his name to john becoming only the second pope in history to change his. When john cornwell tried to repackage and revive the deputy myth in his notorious book, hitlers pope 1999, john lukacs. The foundations research led to the publication of the book pope pius xii and world war ii. Rome the opening of the holy sees archives on the pontificate of pius xii will not only utterly debunk the myth of pius xii as hitlers pope but will enhance pius xii s. Far from taking his responsibilities seriously or getting advice from his elders and betters, john decided to use his new power to have a thoroughly brilliant time gambling, whoremongering, drinking, and hunting. British historian john cornwell examined yallops claims and judged them to be false. Pope john xii born octavian, was the bishop of rome and ruler of the papal states from 16. John paul i was pope for 34 days in 1978 before his death. The official cause of death, according to a vatican doctor, was a heart attack, occurring around 11 p.
With high temperatures in rome during september that year, the haste to embalm john paul i may have been an overzealous attempt to avoid a repeat of that embarrassment. May 09, 2018 the official report claimed that pope john paul i was found lying in his bed, with a book opened beside him, and the reading light on. Mar 25, 2016 pope pius xiis embalming was badly botched. Before young pope there was john xii, the real young. The nearly three decade pontificate of his successor, john paul ii r. But he quickly realized he was outmatched and absconded with the papal treasury. The secret history of pius xii by john cornwell is a fascinating but disturbing book about pope pius xii eugenio pacelli, who reigned from 1939 to 1958 and was the pope during the first nine years of my life. Onofrio panvinio, in the revised edition of bartolomeo platinas book about the popes, added an elaborate note indicating that the. John paul ii books list of books by author john paul ii.