The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe

by David I. Kertzer

David I. Kertzer reveals the fascinating secret history of Pope Pius XI’s relations with the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Drawing from years of archival research in the Vatican and Fascist archives, Kertzer presents a convincing case that Pius XI played a crucial role both in making Mussolini’s dictatorship possible and keeping him in power.