The New York Times–bestselling inside look at one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious institutions For more than twenty-five years, John Thavis held one of the most remarkable journalistic assignments in the world: reporting on the inner workings of the Vatican. In The Vatican Diaries, Thavis reveals Vatican City as a place struggling to define itself in the face of internal and external threats, where Curia cardinals fight private wars and sexual abuse scandals threaten to undermine papal authority. Thavis (author of The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age) also takes readers through the politicking behind the election of Pope Francis and what we might expect from his papacy. The Vatican Diaries is a perceptive, compelling, and provocative account of this singular institution and will be of interest to anyone intrigued by the challenges faced by religion in an increasingly secularized world.
The Young Alchemists and the Vaticans Legion of Evil is a great adventure of action, mystery, intrigue, romance and hilarity about a group of extraordinary teenagers who willingly and for the good of humanity decide to become the younger members of the Alchemists the most powerful secret organization in the world. From the moment they first meet at the Roseford Academy, a prestigious yet very mysterious private school located in Bromptonville, New York, the group of six become inseparable, their curiosity, mischievousness and spirited love for adventure is an open invitation for the wildly unpredictable series of escapades that ensue. As they become deeply enmeshed in a world of mystery and intrigue, they are confronted with a series of seemly impossible challengesmuch more than they would bargained for had they known in advance what was in store for them. On March 6/2013 in one of the abandoned chambers of an ancient monastery in the Vatican, the newly indoctrinated Young Alchemists Pippa Steinberg, Allie McKay, Quan Sun, Cristian Gomez and their school friends Pepper Douglas and Pony McBride, find a letter hidden in an ancient leather book. At once they realize that the contents of the letter if ever publicly disclosed would permanently stain the reputation of the Holy Mother Church of Rome and endanger the lives of almost every inhabitant on planet earth. The letter written in 1774 by a 75 year old Italian priest Father Alberto Giacalone, describes in detail the global plot of the Nonplus the most evil secret organization in the world with an evil agenda to corrupt all earthlings, dismantle all world religions and seize control of the planet.
When Jim Wahlberg went to prison the second time at 22 years old, he was sentenced to six to nine years for breaking and entering, bargained down from life for home invasion. He had staggered into a Boston cop’s apartment, helping himself to the sellable stuff and all the beer in the fridge. The cop came home, found Jim passed out at the kitchen table, beat the hell out of him, and arrested him. But Wahlberg, a 130-pound kid from Dorchester, had learned some things from his life on the street and his first prison sentence. He knew how to survive. And he knew that if he wanted to avoid serving the full sentence, he would have to do something. He did what he was best at: He hustled. He would create the illusion that he was trying to change, that he’d become the model prisoner, not a guy hell-bent on getting out while he was still young enough to drink more, steal more, and do more drugs. He didn’t know, though, that the Catholic priest he was trying to hustle was actually hustling him. The Big Hustle is the story of a redeemed life and a family’s healing. This is the no-holds-barred, unvarnished, and sometimes brutal true story of Jim Wahlberg, the fifth of nine kids growing up in a working-class Irish Catholic neighborhood outside of Boston, hustling for attention any way he could get it, which led him to the biggest hustle of his life. Against all odds he got clean, he got out, and he got the girl. Jim dedicated his new life as a former addict to working with addicts, and for years has spread the word that recovery is possible. But nothing could have prepared him for what came next. His discovery that his own son was an addict threw Jim into a crisis—one that led him deeper into his faith and led to healing he never thought possible. This book is a testament to God’s power and an invitation to all of us to hope in the darkest places. About the Author Jim is the fifth oldest Wahlberg. Like his brothers Donny and Mark, Jim recovered from his tough upbringing in the streets of Dorchester to become producer, writer, and director of films, including The Circle of Addiction, What About the Kids?, and The Lookalike. Jim is the executive director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, created to improve the quality of life for inner city youth through a working partnership with other youth organizations. Jim and his wife live in South Florida and have three children.
'A daily taste of eternity in the midst of time' BBC Radio 4 staple Thought for the Day has been running for 50 years, aiming to capture the mood of the country and speak to it in a way that reaches people of all faiths and none. Take a tour of half a century of daily reflections from some of our most prominent and insightful thinkers, including Pope Benedict XVI, Desmond Tutu and Mona Siddiqui. Covering our changing attitudes to sexuality, science, politics, national life, international relations and more, Thought for the Day charts the constant evolution of British society from its uniquely timeless perspective.
On October 16, 1943, the Jews of Rome were targeted for arrest and deportation. The Nazis, the Vatican, and the Jews of Rome examines why—and more importantly how—it could have been avoided, featuring new evidence and insight into the Vatican’s involvement. At the time, Rome was within reach of the Allies, but the overwhelming force of the Wehrmacht, Gestapo, and SS in Rome precluded direct confrontation. Moral condemnations would not have worked, nor would direct confrontation by the Italians, Jewish leadership, or even the Vatican. Gallo underscores the necessity of determining what courses of actions most likely would have spared Italian Jews from the gas chambers. Examining the historical context and avoiding normative or counterfactual assertions, this book draws upon archival sources ranging from diaries to intelligence intercepts in English, Italian, and German. With antisemitism on the rise today and the last remaining witnesses passing away, it is essential to understand what happened in 1943. The Nazis, the Vatican, and the Jews of Rome grapples with this particular, awful episode within the larger, horrifying story of the Holocaust. Despite the inadequacy of memory, we must continue to attempt to make sense of the inexplicable.
Have you ever done something so funny that you wanted to share this event with everyone? I have and I am. This book is about the events in my life and those around me and how, for some reason I'm still alive. In my short existance on this planet I have seen and done more than most people have done in a life time. And the party isn't over....you can bet that more of my life events will be printed for all to read. Life is short, enjoy your time on this wonderful and incredible place we call Earth.
Introducing the ultimate guide to exploring the world, "All Countries of the World". This comprehensive book provides a wealth of information on every country on the planet, covering all aspects of their history, language, food, sports, nature, arts, religion, economy, education, people, culture, music, interesting facts, and geography. Each chapter dives deep into the unique features and characteristics of each country, providing insights into what makes them special and how they contribute to the diversity of our world. Whether you're an avid traveler, a curious learner, or simply someone who wants to expand their knowledge of the world, "All Countries of the World" is the perfect resource for you. With detailed information, this book will take you on a journey across the globe, discovering new and exciting places along the way. To test your comprehension and enhance your learning, multiple choice questions are provided at the end of each country's description, with answers included. Get ready to embark on an adventure like no other with "All Countries of the World" - the ultimate guide to exploring the world's rich and diverse cultures.
One of the world’s foremost religion journalists offers an unexpected and provocative look at where the Catholic Church is headed—and what the changes will mean for all of us. What will the Catholic Church be like in 100 years? Will there be a woman pope? Will dioceses throughout the United States and the rest of the world go bankrupt from years of scandal? In THE FUTURE CHURCH, John L. Allen puts forth the ten trends he believes will transform the Church into the twenty-second century. From the influence of Catholics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America on doctrine and practices to the impact of multinational organizations on local and ethical standards, Allen delves into the impact of globalization on the Roman Catholic Church and argues that it must rethink fundamental issues, policies, and ways of doing business. Allen shows that over the next century, the Church will have to respond to changes within the institution itself and in the world as a whole whether it is contending with biotechnical advances—including cloning and genetic enhancement—the aging Catholic population, or expanding the roles of the laity. Like Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat, THE FUTURE CHURCH establishes a new framework for meeting the challenges of a changing world.
