The Pope and Mussolini
| Author | David Kertzer |
|---|---|
| Published | January 28, 2014 |
| Publisher | Random House Publishing Group |
| Awards | Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography |
The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe is a 2014 biography of Pope Pius XI about his relations with Benito Mussolini and rise of Fascism in Europe by David Kertzer.[1] The book examined documentary evidence from the Vatican archives, arguing that Pope Pius XI played a significant role in supporting the rise of fascism and Benito Mussolini in Italy.[2]
The Pope and Mussolini won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.[3]
About the book
This is the story of Pope Pius XI’s relations with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, based on archival material from both.[4]
Reception
The book was lauded by many authors including Joseph J. Ellis, who wrote, "Kertzer has an eye for a story, an ear for the right word, and an instinct for human tragedy. This is a sophisticated blockbuster." The New Yorker called the book "A fascinating and tragic story."[5] The New York Review of Books states, "Revelatory... [a] detailed portrait."[6] Historian Paul Gottfried criticized the book for being overly critical of the Church.[7]
Editions
- Kertzer, David I. (2014). The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe (American ed.). Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780679645535.
- Kertzer, David I. (2014). The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe (British ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198716167.
- Kertzer, David I. (2014). Il patto col diavolo: Mussolini e Papa Pio XI le relazioni segrete fra il Vaticano e l'Italia fascista (in Italian). Rizzoli. ISBN 9788858664674.
- Kertzer, David I. (2016). Der erste Stellvertreter: Papst Pius XI. und der geheime Pakt mit dem Faschismus (in German). Theiss Verlag. ISBN 9783806233827.
Awards
The biography won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Letter and Music category of Biography or Autobiography.[8]
- Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography
References
- Back to citation "The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe". davidkertzer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- Back to citation Ventresca, R. A. (2014). "The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer (review)". The Catholic Historical Review. 100 (3): 630–632. doi:10.1353/cat.2014.0160. S2CID 150853556.
- Back to citation Somaiya, Ravi (April 20, 2015). "2015 Pulitzer Winners: Charleston, S.C., Paper Wins Public Service Prize; New York Times Wins 3". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- Back to citation Friedlander, Saul (March 8, 2014). "How a Pope Helped Mussolini Rise to Power And tried to stop him before it was too late". The New Republic. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- Back to citation "Briefly Noted". The New Yorker. March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- Back to citation Stille, Alexander (April 23, 2015). "The Pope Who Tried". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- Back to citation Gottfried, Paul (June 8, 2015). "Painting Catholicism with a Fascist Brush". Crisis. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- Back to citation "Biography or Autobiography". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
Further reading
- Kertzer, David I. (2014). The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198716167.