All the Pope's Men: The Inside Story of How the Vatican Really Thinks (Hardcover)

by John L. Allen Jr. (Author) "If you mill about St. Peter's Square long enough, you will eventually see a black Mercedes sedan exiting from the Vatican, bearing a cardinal or..." (more)
Key Phrases: curial personnel, other dicasteries, pontifical secrecy, Holy See, United States, John Paul (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Allen, the Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and analyst for CNN and National Public Radio, offers an authoritative guide to the church's inner workings. Far from sensationalistic, this book provides a carefully balanced view of how the Catholic Church works—and sometimes doesn't—in the modern world. Allen, who is Catholic himself but does not see himself as a missionary or apologist for the church, is a fair and thorough reporter of ecclesial affairs who drew on four-plus years of covering the Vatican as well as 35 interviews with officials in the church bureaucracy to write this book. He begins with an overview of the Vatican, then debunks five myths—including, notably, the idea that power is concentrated solely in the Pope and that the Vatican is fantastically wealthy. In talking about the myth and reality of Vatican secrecy, Allen lays out the basis for his book: that the Vatican's psychology and culture are difficult for people, even most Catholics, to grasp, resulting in miscommunication and animosity toward the church. Allen also delves into Vatican psychology, sociology and theology before concluding with lengthy chronologies detailing the Vatican's role in the American sexual abuse crisis and the war in Iraq.
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Review
Praise for John L. Allen, Jr.’s Conclave:

“An invaluable primer…highly informative.” -- Washington Post

“Definitely a winner.” --Minneapolis Star Tribune

“It’s surprising how much you learn from this book…[Allen] explain[s] the process in an engaging way, and offers history, context, and his own list of front-runners.” --Arizona Republic

“Conclave offers something for everyone. Insiders who are knowledgeable about Vatican politics will relish the detail that Allen…delves into when describing the process and the personalities that will elect the next pope. Those who are baffled by the arcane traditions of Roman Catholicism will understand better how this ancient institution functions. The curious will have a context within which to understand why the cardinals choose a pope with a certain theological and political bent.” --National Catholic Reporter


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion (July 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385509669
• ISBN-13: 978-0385509664
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #632,845 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bob Woodward of the Vatican, July 19, 2004

By	Leonard Hartmann (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

Maybe John Allen doesn't quite have the dramatic flair that Woodward has for the midnight, behind closed door scenes (like Nixon asking Kissinger to pray with him), but Allen's information is just as interesting and reliable, and the writing is pretty good too. And unlike most of the people you have writing about the Vatican Allen really does seem to walk a straight line in terms of the politics. A reviewer has commented that the even-handedness has bothered him/her, but nothing bothers me more than partisan reporting through rose coloured glass or the pessimism of a disaffected church goer.

All the Pope's Men isn't much of a whodunnit but it is a very interesting examination of the psychology and the workings of the Vatican. It is a bureaucracy, of sorts, but I found it's workings fascinating nonetheless.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting, a good read., July 19, 2004

By	B. Galston-Herbert (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews

John Allen has always impressed me with his newspaper writing and whenever I've heard him on National Public Radio. I was happy to have come across this book here and found it a very fresh perspective on the world inside the Vatican. As those of you who read these types of books will know, there are many, many books on the topic out there and I gather that half of those that are written are merely quoting from the other half. Put this one in the TO BE QUOTED FROM PILE. It's original material, I particularly like his Myths about the Vatican section. Thank you John Allen.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inner Workings Clearly Explained, October 16, 2004

By	Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vatican correspondent for "National Catholic Reporter" and a noted media analyst on Vatican affairs, John L. Allen has crafted an insightful analysis of one of the oldest and most fascinating world institutions. The author of CONCLAVE, an exploration of the events surrounding modern papal elections, incorporates his knowledge and experience into a detailed exploration of the complex bureaucracy of the Catholic Church known simply as "the Vatican."

For Catholics and others in the United States, the decisions of the Pope and the Curia appear to be out of touch with contemporary society - particularly American culture. Of course, that is precisely the point! The Vatican is characterized by a centuries-old, traditional European, yet increasingly global world view where issues are considered and decisions are made within the uniquely long-term Catholic concepts of scripture, tradition and faithfulness to the Magisterium (the official teaching authority of the Church). Developed in response to such burning issues as the recent sex scandals and the Vatican's opposition to the war in Iraq, Mr. Allen explores the culture and context of the Vatican from psychological, sociological and theological perspectives. Recognizing the spiritual underpinnings of the institution, Mr. Allen examines the individuals and myriad offices which collectively form the Vatican. He does so from a distinctly human standpoint, weaving a rich tapestry of collegial, dynastic, ecclesiastical, cultural and contextual characteristics. He analyzes personal motivation and formal and informal spheres of influence, carefully connecting the dots of human frailty with the overriding mission of Church stewardship. Through faithful adherence to journalistic principles, critical respect and objectivity, Mr. Allen provided an illuminating overview of the Vatican response to today's tumultuous issues.

If there can be any criticism of the book - and it is only a minor criticism - it is with respect to the lengthy and detailed chronology of the Vatican's response to the sex-scandal and Iraq War. Yet even in this, the accompanying analysis leaves the reader with a greater comprehension of the motives and thought process of the Vatican in dealing globally with events seen as more localized flashpoints. The myths of the Vatican section is particularly fascinating in debunking popular, yet unsubstantiated legends.

There are some who would dismiss Mr. Allen due to the perceived liberal leanings of the "National Catholic Reporter." However, unlike other recent books from those with particular axes to grind, the author offers concise reporting, balanced analysis, and well-reasoned conclusions. The book is clearly worth the reader's time and attention, rewarding those who seek understanding of things as they are, not merely reaffirmations of preconceived opinions. For those who wish to hear more from Mr. Allen, his weekly Internet column, "The Word from Rome," offers additional insight in an engaging format.