The Incredible Book of Vatican Facts and Papal Curiosities: A Treasury of Trivia

If I were a pregnant Roman, there is one challenge in this treasury of trivia that I would not be able to resist. According to the author, Nino Lo Bello, no baby has ever been born in the Vatican. (The timing would have to be just right, but here's some mother-to-be's chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.) Actually, I was rather surprised that no infants at all had been born in the Vatican since some of the popes were not exactly celibate. This author mentions a few who had mistresses and children. He does not skip over the immoral bits, but this book is sweetly gossipy rather than malicious. The anecdote that I found most startling concerned the late Pope John Paul II: one of the first things he did upon ascending to the Throne of St. Peter was watch back-to-back showings of "The Exorcist." Here is a sample of the type of questions you will find answered in this book: * What size shoe did Jesus wear? * Over what did the Vatican go to 'war' with another ministate [San Marino in 1978]? * Which European queen is buried in the Vatican? * Why didn't Sam Snead get his putter blessed by the Pope? * Which U.S. comedian was arrested at the Vatican? Do not neglect to read this book's appendixes, as these are where you will find some of the best anecdotes. The author relaxes out of the question-and-answer format of the previous 162 pages and tells some very interesting stories. One of my favorites is "John Paul II Gives Galileo a Second Chance." There is also a fascinating appendix on "The Making of a Saint," although this author contradicts John Cornwell (author of "Hitler's Pope") in some of the particulars, most especially concerning the continuing existence of a "Devil's Advocate." Oh, and one of the facts that I thought I knew about the Vatican was firmly contradicted by this author: Michelangelo did NOT design the uniform for the Swiss Guards, as is stated in all the guide books. A Vatican seamstress whipped up the colorful costume in 1914 at the request of the Pope.

Nino Lo Bello has provided a fun and fascinating look into the Vatican and Catholic Church. While I am not a Catholic, I found it easy to read and it explained many aspects of the Church. It dealt honestly with some of the Church's dark history. I also gained an even greater respect and admiration for Pope Paul II. It is a fun and informative read.

"Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, dean of the College of Cardinals, issued a public apology for having written the forward to [the Italian edition of Nino Lo Bello's] book on Vatican anecdotes, which he said lacked respect for the Vatican 'and especially for the person of the supreme pontiff.' " {NCR, 10/6/00, p. 10}One wonders why this 1998 trivia collection has caused such a fervor, but an examination of its contents, indicates that the curia-crats are lacking in a sense of humor and chutzpah. Perhaps the extended appendix about "La Poppessa," Sister Pasqualina Lehnert, " the German born housekeeper, confidante, adviser, and closest aide [for 41 years] to . . .Pius XII," and chief source for Pius XII's cause for sainthood is one such impropriety.Perhaps the short paragraph about Pius IX use of the death penalty as ruler of the Papal states creates a problem. Perhaps the one page devoted to Opus Dei, the source of Dominus Iesus, caused some embarrassment. Unfortunately, the late author's description of the steps to sainthood is hopelessly out of date in the face of John Paul II's assembly line. However, he does list those 40 non-existent saints whom Paul VI removed from veneration in 1969, such as Christopher, Valentine, Anastasia and Barbara. Lo Bello notes that "other saints are optional on the basis of local loyalties. For instance, Saint [Patricus] is fine in Ireland [and the United States], but according to a Vatican official, 'holds little interest for the Cambodians.' "Yes indeed, this is a humanizing book which tweaks those who would sanctify pontiffs and popes. I have placed it on my shelf next to "Rome Has Spoken" and "Papal Lies," right above "The Bad Popes" and "Sex Lives of the Popes," and below Cardinal Ratzlinger's exegesis on the Catechism. I suspect the publisher may run out of copies shortly. "The book, which could be read as portraying 'surprising and ridiculous' foibles of modern popes, 'truly is not good, nor true nor opportune,' [Cardinal] Gantin wrote in a letter published by the Italian magazine 30 Giomi.""I ask the pardon of all those who may have been surprised, scandalized or not edified by my naive involvement in this affair," the Dean of the College of Cardinals wrote.Definitely, a must buy and must read. AMDG

I had a wonderful time reading about Vatican City. It is not a religious book, but a trivia book about the State of Vatican City. Want to know what mistakes Michaelangelo made in the design of St. Peter's? If a pope has ever lost his temper in public? How was the pope going to outwit Hitler? Which government has jurisdiction over the pope? This book is easy reading and very informative. I loved it!!

You do not have to be a Catholic to find this book both entertaining and fascinating. For those who have had the opportunity to visit the Vatican, or are just curious about this most secretive of places, the book gives you intriquing insights on the people, places and personalities of those privy to the inner workings of the Holy See.