Vatican, A Private Visit to a Secret World, The Ultimate Collection (book)

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Vatican, A Private Visit to a Secret World, The Ultimate Collection (book) Text by Caroline Pigozzi and Giovanni Maria Vian. ​​2022. Brand new book in English with 242 pages and 200 illustrations. Handcrafted volume in a slipcase. Dimensions W 15.7 x L 19 x D 3.2 inches. Weight: 25 lb.

More than just an enclave in the heart of Rome, the Vatican is a complex city-state that, for many, still evokes secrecy. With its nearly twenty-century-old history, its spirituality, its scandals, and its enigmas, the Vatican has always held a power of fascination and seduction over us. But what is the real Vatican?

With nearly three hundred popes and antipopes, not to mention a fictional pope, these figures include a few saints and many sinners. To borrow an ancient image, the Vatican is comparable to Noah’s Ark, housing animals of all kinds, both pure and impure. From the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church under Emperor Constantine, to famous popes who nonetheless cultivated the artistic flourishing of the Renaissance, to contemporary pontiffs who must navigate the media and sensitive social and political issues, the Vatican has navigated historical upheavals and religious schisms, acquiring unprecedented prestige and forging a place on the diplomatic scene.

Illustrated with archival images and striking photographs, this hand-curated volume features insightful texts by renowned journalist Caroline Pigozzi, a specialist in Vatican history, and historian Giovanni Maria Vian, former editor-in-chief of L’Osservatore Romano, revealing the hidden stories that unfolded within these labyrinthine corridors.

Feel free to check out the additional photos at the top left, thank you!

If you prefer to pay in euros, =before= you start ordering, you must click on the word “Français” in orange, under the main photo above, which will redirect you to the same description in French and payment in Euros.