• The Vatican Diaries

  • A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church
  • By: John Thavis
  • Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner
  • Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (476 ratings)

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The Vatican Diaries  By  cover art

The Vatican Diaries

By: John Thavis
Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner
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Publisher's summary

A revealing inside look at one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious institutions

For more than 25 years John Thavis held one of the most fascinating journalistic jobs in the world: reporting on the inner workings of the Vatican. His daily exposure to the power, politics, and personalities in the seat of Roman Catholicism gave him a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on an institution that is far less monolithic and unified than it first appears. Thavis reveals Vatican City as a place where Curia cardinals fight private wars, scandals threaten to undermine papal authority, and reverence for the past is continually upended by the practical considerations of modern life.

Thavis takes listeners from a bell tower high above St. Peter’s to the depths of the basilica and the saint’s burial place, from the politicking surrounding the election of a new pope and the ever-growing sexual abuse scandals around the world to controversies about the Vatican’s stand on contraception and more.

Perceptive, sharply written, and witty, The Vatican Diaries will appeal not only to Catholics - lapsed as well as devout - but to anyone interested in international diplomacy and the role of religion in an increasingly secularized world.

©2013 John Thavis (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A seasoned reporter on the Vatican beat takes us for an irreverent and revealing visit. Frequently from the vantage of the reportorial fly on the wall, Thavis…concentrates on the history he has witnessed firsthand.… Especially provocative are the chapters dealing with the mismanagement of diverse sex scandals and, finally, an appraisal of the opaque personality of Benedict.… Not only provocative, this report is illuminating and fully accessible to members of the faith and doubters alike." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Thavis’ anecdotal presentation will appeal to readers seeking understanding of or connection with the Catholic Church’s heart. This book is recommended for anyone who would like to challenge their own notions and perceptions of the Vatican." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about The Vatican Diaries

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A neutral look at inner workings of the Vatican

I found this book faciniating. It is a report of the inner workings of the Vatican including the homesexual, child abuse, and financial problems the Church faces. The author neither praises nor condems the actions taking place in the hierarchy of the Vatican. The book is rich in the histrory of the Catholic Church and of recent popes. I learned a lot.

I appreciated that the author did not appear to have an "agenda" regarding the Vatican. The tone was neutral. I would recommend this book highly.

Well done.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Who among you can cast the first stone??

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This audio book is like listening to National Enquirer level journalism, filled with opinions, presumption, and gossip. I expected to hear some credible new ‘vatileaks’ info presented in a rational manner, but instead received old information combined with gossip and secular opinions. If you listen to this book, you’d constantly notice how journalist John Thavin stretches bits of information, leaves out pertinent facts, and attempts to misrepresent the Church.

For example, Thavin portrays the Catholic Church as a system of injustice and sexual crimes by using the sins of a handful of bad priests, gossip, and various opinions to lead the reader into thinking that the majority of priests must be gay or sexual predators. But in his book, he downplays the 2008 US government report that only 0.03% of priests were involved in pedophilia cases, he downplays the fact that gay priests can no longer be ordained, he does not mention the German criminologist report that 99.9% of sexual abuse crimes come from outside the Catholic Church, and he does not mention the Protestant Christian Science Monitor report that protestant denominations are affected by a much higher rate of pedophilia cases than those in the Catholic Church.

Anyway, the Catholic Church is looking really good as we make the necessary changes to prevent those individual incidents from happening again.. If you go to the Vatican you will see all that the Catholic Church is actively doing to prevent future incidents, and help victims (none of which are discussed in the book). In other words, if you are looking for facts and a well balanced constructive analysis you'd be better off doing a Google search… Have faith!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Extremely Compelling; Especially Relevant

Where does The Vatican Diaries rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most concise, cogent audiobooks I've listened to.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Highlighted as it was by Audible, just after the news of Pope Benedict's abdication, this was especially relevant. Although published months before the Pope's announcement, "The Vatican Diaries" sheds much light on the Benedict's papacy and the likely true reasons behind his historical resignation. Had I listened to this earlier, it wouldn't have come as a surprise when it happened.

The stories John Thavis relates are sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, always incredible. Time and again I found myself hitting the 30 seconds back button thinking, "I must not have heard that right - it couldn't be." Every time I had heard it right and I was simply incredulous.

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Hillgartner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Malcolm Hilgartner's performance is a masterpiece of subtly. With slight inflections and just the right amount of accent, he slips smoothly between the author's narration and the many other characters we encounter - from Popes and Cardinals to reporters and "bell ringers." He makes this book come alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As a Roman Catholic at times I was upset by Thavis's frank and honest recording of events. Bust as they say,"Sometimes the truth hurts."

Any additional comments?

This is "must listening" for Roman Catholics and others who want to understand the forces at work inside that Vatican and the Church. It provides a foundation for understanding what Pope Francis is now doing and why. As events unfold in Rome I am sure I will be re-listening to various chapters to put it all in context.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting and humanizing

I am a cradle Catholic, and grew up during, and embraced, the changes of Vatican II. To be told by the right wing of my church community that I have been "doing it all wrong" for decades was not faith-enhancing. The eyewitness reporting of this book has helped me understand the underlying politics of the last couple of decades. This book is not disrespectful, whether you are on the "right" or the "left", unless you find facts offensive. People are human, even if they live in the Vatican.

John Thavis' prose is clear and he is a good storyteller. Malcolm Hillgartner is a really good narrator, and I will be on the lookout for more of his performances.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

interesting behind the scenes look at the Vatican

Enjoy the jaunt through Vatican City. Clearly Thavis is a friend of the Church, but isn't afraid to show some of the less than admirable underbelly of the Vatican

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Timely, but disjointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The vignettes should at the very least have been ordered chronologically. Also, the book would have benefited from glosses for the specialized vocabulary items (at least when an item appeared for the first time); as it is, it felt like the author was more intent on showing off rather than showing the reader around.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Latin teacher!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, unless the movie focused on a particular vignette, like that of the Latin teacher, who seemed absolutely fascinating. The movie would be too Altman-like otherwise--disjointed and fragmented.

Any additional comments?

Very timely book!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating stuff!

I had expected a bit more on the current crisis the Vatican is facing, that of priests as molesters. While it was addressed on a limited basis, after reflection, I realized that it would be extremely difficult for any author to really know the extent and ins and outs of this apparently longstanding problem due to various obvious issues.

That being said, I very much enjoyed this listen. I never thought much about the politics of the Vatican or the encompassing power struggles going on in the Church at any time. This book was quite an eye opener for me and interesting all the way through. It addresses many current issues in a neutral, non-biased fashion.

Hillgartner does an excellent narration. Over all, I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the workings and politics of the Vatican.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Surprisingly Great Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of The Vatican Diaries to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version - that's why I listen to Audiobooks - to listen to books I don't have time to read. . . "too many books/too little time!"

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not Applicable

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Hillgartner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I recall - but I will add him to my list of good narrators.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Not Applicable

Any additional comments?

After listening to the first few minutes of this book I was a little concerned with both the narration and the story, which I feared was going to be dull and monotone.But within 5 or 10 minutes I was really surprised. It quickly turned into an unbelievably entertaining listen - containing a perfect blend of drama and humour - and it was very well read. For someone who doesn't know much about the Roman Catholic church, the Pope or the Vatican, but keeps tabs on the news, it was just a very interesting and entertaining look at the workings and stories that make the Vatican so interesting to people in no way affiliated with the Catholic church; and it was done so in an educated-reality-TV-cum-PBS-documentary sort of a way. Finally, to me the narrator, can make or break an audiobook; and in this instance he really contributed to an entertaining listen.

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It was worth listening ......

Wow! What an eye opener! I am a Catholic believer who KNOWS that church is run by man and man are sinners.......EVERY PERSON in the church, regardless of position is a sinner. With that in mind, I was hesitant to listen to the book, because I thought it was another attempt to bring down the Catholic Church. Instead, what I learned is that the Vatican is an institution that is broken, like any other institution, and is in need of God's grace, touch, and healing. There are rogue priests, like in any other profession. The Vatican Diaries is an account of what goes on behind the Vatican Walls. It is a book difficult to stop until the end.

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Few curious anecdotes from political sidelines

Would you consider the audio edition of The Vatican Diaries to be better than the print version?

In so far as it won't take space on my bookshelf and the fact that i have no intention of reading it again, yes, the digital version is better for the environment

Would you be willing to try another book from John Thavis? Why or why not?

Not really. This has proven to be insufferably boring, and the subject is of little curiosity to me to begin with.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Certainly not intentionally, but it was so boring that i fell asleep on a number of occasions. Does that count?

Any additional comments?

I suppose my general disagreement with the book is that i expected something a bit juicier, a bit more fun, a bit more of a 'behind the scene look'. Instead, we are treated to part story of being in a press pool ( a subject that can not be covered better than HST, so waste of pages here ) and a riveting revelation that, and I kid you not, turns out, catholic church is just another typically bureaucratically dysfunctional organization.

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