Nothing sacred
Subtitle: Nazi espionage against the Vatican, 1939-1945
By: David Alvarez and Robert A. Graham.
Contributors: Graham, Robert A.
Series: Cass series--studies in intelligence
Publisher: F. Cass
Published: 1997
Place of publication: London; Portland, OR
Language: eng
Number of pages: 190
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945 -- Secret service -- Germany; World War, 1939-1945 -- Vatican City
Description: Nothing Sacred is the first book to document the Nazi espionage campaign against the Vatican in the Second World War. Nazi Germany considered the Catholic Church to be a serious threat to its domestic security and its international ambitions. In Germany, Hitler's agents recruited informants to provide intelligence on Church finances, and on the political views and activities of bishops, priests and lay Catholics.

In Rome, however, German attempts to penetrate the Papacy were less successful, with the efforts of the local Gestapo office proving largely futile. The German codebreaking operation on the other hand was more successful: the Nazis systematically intercepted, decoded and read secret communications between the Pope and his representatives worldwide.

Written by two leading authorities on Vatican history, this work will prove fascinating reading for those interested in Second World War history, intelligence studies and the history of the Catholic Church.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-185) and index.