The vatican has been dominated by John Paul II for more the 20 years. What of the man before him? Little is known of John Paul I. This book delves deep into the mystery of his death after a brief 33 days in office. The smiling pope. A humble man, sourounded by the viscious politics of rome. This quick rad is an insight into the workings of the vatican and a journey through papal politics. From Amazon.com
Cornwell admirably and intensely approaches the task some ten years after the event, of sorting out the rumors and innuendos surrounding the sudden death of the 33-day pope, John Paul 1. All of his extensive look into this quagmire called the Vatican can be summarized by his words: "The whisperings, the rumors, the theories--farfetched, sensational, fantastic--all serve a purpose: they deflect attention from the most obvious and shameful fact of all; that John Paul I died scorned and neglected by the institution that existed to sustain him." (pg. 336) This well capsulizes what his peering into the event surfaced. Amazing inner look at this huge, off-limits to most of us, major religious institution. His analysis his thorough, he wants evidence that is credible. He sifts out things well, and strings them together to make sense, or breaks up strings which won't hold together. The stuff with the Vatican Bank and its director is shameful, and Cornwell discloses this with dignity, yet allows real inner struggles to be seen. Worth the read. His hypothesis of what occurred from his investigation is fascinating, and has all the signs and tastes of close to the truth.
From Amazon.com
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