On the eve of September 28, 1978, Pope John Paul I died unexpectedly-apparently of a heart attack-after a reign of only thirty-three days. Within the Vatican there were serious disagreements about the time of death, who found the body, and the true state of the Pope's health prior to his death. These arguments led to rumors of foul play and conspiracy-variously involving the KGB, the freemasons, crooked financiers, and Vatican officials. In 1987 the Vatican invited John Cornwell to conduct a new, independent investigation into the true circumstances of the Pope's death. In A Thief in the Night Cornwell tells the story of his search, including a startling theory about John Paul I's untimely demise-and a chilling and unsurpassed look inside one of the world's oldest, most secretive institutions.
Ten years after the event, Cornwell was invited by the Vatican to conduct an investigation into the death of Pope John Paul I, who died only 33 days into his papacy, in the hope of setting the record straight. The apparent suddenness of his death and contradictory statements given by various people in the Vatican had over the years given cause for speculation and conspiracy theories. Cornwell's in-depth and comprehensive investigation is remarkably easy to read and is not only a fascinating account of one of the modern mysteries of our time, but also a rare look behind the scenes of one of the most secretive organizations in the world, a look which for me does nothing to raise the Catholic Church in my esteem, but certainly earns my hearty recommendation to read this book.