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Gatling gun of targets

On Vatican subterfuge
by
July 2025, no. 477

Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis by Yvonnick Denoël

Hurst, $49.99 hb, 454 pp

Buy this book

ABR receives a commission on items purchased through this link. All ABR reviews are fully independent.

Gatling gun of targets

On Vatican subterfuge
by
July 2025, no. 477

The global reaction to the recent death of Pope Francis and the ensuing election of Pope Leo XIV confirmed the centrality of the Vatican to its 1.3 billion followers and the international political landscape. The Vatican is the world’s smallest sovereign city-state with a tiny permanent population of 882, yet has immense influence. The intensely hierarchical Holy See is far from transparent. Secrecy, scheming, intrigue, and subterfuge have been the hallmarks of its modus operandi, to which the film Conclave (2024) so grippingly alludes.

Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis

Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis

by Yvonnick Denoël

Hurst, $49.99 hb, 454 pp

Buy this book

ABR receives a commission on items purchased through this link. All ABR reviews are fully independent.

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