Vatican Spies

From the Second World War to Pope Francis

By Yvonnick Denoël, translated by Alan McKay

Published by Hurst Publishers; Dist. by NewSouth Books

RRP $49.99 in hardback * ISBN 9781911723400

There is no doubt that secrecy, scheming, intrigue and subterfuge have been a hallmark of Vatican operations for centuries. However, it seems the title of this book has been designed to be attention-grabbing rather than all encompassing. It seems a narrow description of what the book is about.

Officially, of course, the Vatican has no espionage service but that does not mean it is not the target of intelligence interest. It holds a unique place in diplomatic circles.

The Holy See is a city state with a tiny resident population but an unparalleled global reach and a power that no country underestimates nor can replicate.

Secrecy of course was always its modus operandi, aided by the establishment of its own bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR).

Australians will remember the late Cardinal George Pell being recruited to the Vatican in a new role as head of the Secretariat for the Economy.

The bank had exceeded its original remit with dubious investments and financial transactions. Unsurprisingly Pell encountered resistance to his reforms and then was forced back to Australia to answer charges of sexual assault.

Drawing on freshly released archives of foreign services that worked with or against the Holy See, Vatican Spies reveals eighty years of shadow wars and dirty tricks.

These include

• infiltrating Russian-speaking priests into the Soviet Union;
• secret negotiations between John XXIII and Khrushchev;
• the future Paul VI’s close relationship with the CIA;
• the Vatican’s infiltration by Eastern Bloc intelligence;
• the battles between the Jesuits and Opus Dei; and
• the secret bank funds channelled first to fight communism in South America, then to support Solidarity in Poland.

This book covers the period from the Second World War to the present day. What it reveals is an organisation of startling machinations, of intrigue, of financial scandals and even murder.

VERDICT: It’s all there, in fascinating, visceral detail.