Book 147.
In God's Name.
David Yallop.
I remember being so shocked by this book that I wrote to my Grandma about it and she wrote back to her 26 granddaughter to say this type of thing happens all the time and told me lots of other shocking things. I might have her letter in the loft?
Nick Wannan
David Yallop's 1984 book In God's Name proposed the theory that the pope had been in "potential danger" because of corruption in the Vatican Bank.
This corruption was real and is known to have involved the bank's head, Bishop Paul Marcinkus, along with Roberto Calvi. Calvi was found dead in London in 1982. His death was initially ruled suicide and a second inquest – ordered by his family – then returned an open verdict.
Yallop agreed to donate every penny he made from sales to a charity of the Vatican's choice if they agreed to investigate his central claim, that when the body of the pope was discovered, his contorted hand gripped a piece of paper that was later destroyed because it named high-ranking members and others who had a role in numerous corruption scandals and the laundering of mafia drug money. One of the names was that of Bishop Paul Marcinkus, who was later promoted by Pope John Paul II to Pro-President of Vatican City, making him the third most powerful person in the Vatican, after the pope and the secretary of state. None of Yallop's claims, which are unproven, has thus far been acknowledged by the Vatican.
Yallop specifically summarized his conspiracy theory in his book: Three archbishops—Marcinkus, Villot and Cody—conspired with three Mafia types—Calvi, Sindona and Gelli—in the murder of John Paul I. “It was clear that these six men had a great deal to fear if the papacy of John Paul I should continue… all of them stood to gain in a variety of ways if John Paul I should suddenly die.” ( )

I read this some time back and wholeheartedly bought into Yallop's thesis; that dark forces at the Vatican conspired to murder Pope John Paul I due to his liberal bent. "In God's Name" is well written and persuasive and for a while I was convinced that something nefarious had happened to the Pope but the longer one reflects on the story, the less likely it becomes. Because really, the fact that the Pope was an old man with a history of health issues is a far more logical way to die than being bumped off by shadowy nuns. ( )

Crcumstantial evidence and a short list of possible murderers

David Yallop, as one of the best professional investigative journalists, sets out to investigate the hypothesis that Pope John Paul I was murdered after just 33 days in office. Extensive research, both primary and secondary, turned up very compelling evidence of a cover-up.

Wow, full of intrigue at the highest reaches of the Cathlic church and the politics involved. This is not fiction, it is real life. Not meant to be a bash on the Catholic church, in general, just at the Vatican. Goosebump stuff. ( )

Still gives me chills years after I first read it. As the subtitle says this is an amazingly comprehensive investigation into enormous scandals that had come to the fore just as John Paul 1 was chosen as the new Pope, as well as an examination into the circumstances of his death a few weeks later.

Determined to end the corruption in the Vatican Bank and other areas of the Church hierarchy, the new Pope demanded immediate action. A handful of hours later, thishealthy man was found dead.

Yallop posits that his death was no act of God but rather the work of horribly corrupt officials within the Vatican. It is a shocking charge, but after you read this massive and impeccably researched book, it's difficult not to at least wonder if there is something to all this. Certainly plenty of Popes have been offed throughout history -- are we really so convinced of the human march of progress that we believe that it is impossible that a Pope could be assassinated through Vatican intrigue in the 20th Century?

And given the deep split between the conservative cardinals and the reformists, as well as the billions of dollars at stake in the Vatican Bank scandal, there were certianly plenty of people with motives.

Truly a remarkable piece of research and an engaging narrative. ( )

A mere 33 days after Albino Luciani became Pope John Paul I, he died. To the date, the cause of death remains unknown or at least it remains undisclosed to the public. No autopsy was preformed. No official certificate of death was released.

Author David Yallop follows the footsteps of Albino Luciani and chronicles his life and journey to Rome. Yallop reveals the process and speculates on the politics of the election of John Paul I. His investigation provides a detailed sketch of the final hours of Pope John Paul I, drawn minute by minute.

In the book, Yallop names six individuals who had much to lose under the reign of John Paul I. He asserts that these individuals: a Bishop; two Cardinals; two bankers; and the head of a secret organization, P2; applied the "Italian Solution" either alone or in some combination. Now twenty years after this book was first published the author's website claims that the central questions raised remain unanswered and the frightening accusations are still undisputed.

I found Yallop's development of the cases of motive for the six suspects to be strong. Although motive does not equal guilt, it does help make Yallop's theory of murder plausible. At a minimum this book is an interesting story to read along with Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code". The possibility that Yallop has uncovered the truth is unsettling. I have penciled "In God's Name" near the top of my rather extensive list of conspiracy theory books and unreservedly give it five stars.

Wonderfully, author Yallop has included pictures, lots of them. I noticed at least one reviewer commented about the durability of the book. My copy is a first edition, published in 1984. It has also been read by several friends and other than the paper jacket, remains in excellent condition. ( )

Albino Luciani was elected Pope and chose to be Pope John Paul the First. Not only becoming the first double name in the history, but also appended the first to it. He was known as the "Smiling Pope" and though his reign was the second shortest in history, only 33 days, he was loved the world over. This wonderful Pastor would have taken the Church back to its Gospel roots where it belongs. He was truly a Man of God. And you could see from his 33 days as Pope that he would have been the greatest Pope ever in the eyes the world.

This book builds a very good case showing that Pope John Paul I was murdered, as many has always thought. It also exposes the corruption both within the Vatican and in the Diocese of Chicago during the years covered. All his research show ties between the Vatican, the Mafia and the Freemasons tied to financial corruption. Documented proof is uncovered and other governments have tired to act on them, but they are blocked by the Curia according to the book.

The author actually names those involved in the illegal and immoral acts and their motives and opportunity to have Pope John Paul I killed. It is no coincidence that the Pope was killed the evening before he was going to clean house. Though I was surprised by how obvious the cover-up and lies were. I highly recommend this book. ( )

[2021-11-19]

Group B1

theme Vatican, for consideration for summer