The Mole of Vatican Council II: The True Story of Xavier Rynne - Softcover

Zmuda, Richard A

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0879467320 ISBN 13: 9780879467326

Publisher: ACTA Publications, 2024

Synopsis

The Mole of Vatican Council II is historical fiction at its best, based closely on the eyewitness accounts of the late Father Francis X. Murphy, who found himself in Rome in 1962 at the start of the Second Vatican Council and chronicled its proceedings and political intrigue for The New Yorker magazine in his "Letter from Vatican City" series under the pseudonym "Xavier Rynne."
 
The book follows the furious efforts of the Vatican's Congregation of the Holy Office (successor to the ancient "Holy Inquisition") to unmask Rynne's true identity and make him pay for his perceived disloyalty. It provides rich detail about the unlikely election of Pope John XXIII, chosen as a transitional pope, whose dream of launching Vatican Council II became a reality during his brief papacy. It also follows the challenges of his successor, Pope Paul VI, to keep Vatican II alive despite the subversive efforts of certain powerful cardinals in the Roman Curia who were determined to destroy it - and came perilously close to succeeding.
 
The Mole of Vatican Council II weaves a riveting, original storyline about the momentous gathering of 2,500 cardinals and bishops from around the world - as observed in real time by one courageous young American priest. A compelling, eye-opening read, not just for Catholics but for those of all faiths and non-believers alike. The ending is in doubt until the very last pages!

Edition details

• Publisher: ACTA Publications
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879467320
• ISBN 13: 9780879467326
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 307