A Thief in the Night: Life and Death in the Vatican [Paperback]

In God's Name: An Investigation Into the Murder of Pope John Paul I

Anyone interested in the death of the 33-day Pope should read this book as it is the Vatican's side of the story. It was commissioned by Rome in order to quell rumors of foul play in the 33-day-Pope's death raised by David Yallop's best seller `In God's Name'. In exchange for Cornwell's promise to conclude the Pope died of a 'heart attack', the Vatican permitted him to interview some of those who had been in the papal palace the night the Pope died. The most important of these witnesses to Cornwell's conclusion the Pope died of'pulmonary embolism' was John MaGee who, by coincidence, at about the same time (1987) was made a bishop. One can only surmise this was a tit-for-tat deal. (seatch Google: Bishop John MaGee).

A more recent book has the advantage of time - things we know today that we didn't know when these things happened. Lucien Gregoire's Murder in the Vatican: The CIA and the Bolshevik Pontiff employs what is known by the medical community today which was not known when Cornwell wrote his book. Any member of the medical profession today will tell you it is impossible to determine the cause of an unwitnessed death unless the cause of death is obvious. The cause of such a death can only determined by autopsy - something the Vatican refused to perform.

To conclude the Pope's condition of 'low blood pressure' contributed to the Pope's `heart attack' or, for that matter, 'pulmnonary embolism' may have been a sound conclusion twenty years ago, but not today. As late as 1987, when Cornwell wrote his book, it was believed that low blood pressure could be a factor in 'heart attack' or 'pulmonary embolism.' But, today, we not only know that low blood pressure is not a factor in 'heart attack' or 'pulmonary embolism' Conversely, it materially reduces the risk of heart attack or pulmonary embolism. (Search Google: heart attack low blood pressure). John Paul's physical exam taken three months before his death showed a blood pressure reading of 112/66 - outstanding today for a man of sixty-five, but at the time considered low as `normal' blood pressure in 1987 for a man of 65 was 100 plus one's age - coinsidered dangeously high today."

Yet, Cornwell's book is a fundamental part of any investigation of this man's mysterious death as he interviews the most important witnesses to the events of the time except, of course, Yallop's star witness Sr. Vincenza - who by divine coincidence had died in the meantime.

All witnesses agree on one point, "he was sitting up in his bed reading papers held upright in his hands." That he did not pull the bell cord that hung a whisker to his right which or press a service button an arm's length to his left which would have brought the guard stationed outside his door and did not drop his papers points to murder.

Nevertheless, `A Thief in the Night' is a well written book - a good read - a good example of how the Vatican works. I believe Cornwell to be a man of impeccable integrity when he wrote it twenty years ago. Yet, at the time the medical community did not know what it knows today. I think if he were to rewrite it today - if he does I will be first in line - he will come up wih a different conclusion.

Murder in the Vatican: The CIA and the Bolshevik Pontiff

Behind all the intrique and mystery surrounding the tragic death of Pope John Paul 1, Mr Cornwell manages to trace and speak to vital witnesses and comes to a conclusion not expected, and yet highly believeable.

A refreshing approach from the 'over the top' theories previously put forward, this book is well written, enjoyable and concise. As a Catholic, I hope in future that clerics within my faith are as honest as we mere mortals!

An investigation by John Cornwell, an editor of the 'London Observer', into the mysterious circumstance surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I just thirty-three days after he assumed the papacy. The author answers ten specific questions about which there was disagreement with the Vatican, such as exactly when and where the pope died, and whether a secret autopsy was performed. It is written in step-by-step narrative format on the writers' investigation and his interviews appear to be the transcripts themselves. His investigation tends to lead to the conclusion that the Vatican Hierarchy was responsible for the popes' death through neglect of his medical well being. This book was written at the request of the Vatican and is a recommended read.