I’ve recently read The Mole of Vatican Council II: The True Story of Xavier Rynne, by Richard A. Zmuda. Xavier Rynne was the pen name of Fr. Francis X. Murphy, a Redemptorist priest who was in Rome in 1962, during the Second Vatican Council, and wrote observations and insights, “Letters from Vatican City,” for the New Yorker.

 

The Vatican and Vatican watchers tried to unmask him, but he only confirmed his identity in 1998. Zmuda’s novel details the surprise election of Pope John XXIII, and the even bigger surprise of his launching Vatican Council II early in his short reign as pope. We also learn about Pope Paul VI, his successor, keeping the dream alive in the face of much opposition.

This book is a great history lesson and a very entertaining read.

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You can find out more about Richard on his website: https://www.richardzmuda.com/

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Or buy his book from the links below: