In the Shadow of the Vatican

Mario Del Pero offers a compelling lens on this long-overlooked story through which to explore the early history of the Cold War and the complex dynamics between geopolitical alignments, ideological integration, and national sovereignty. Mario Del Pero is Professor of International History at SciencesPo in Paris. He is a regular commentator on US and international politics for various media outlets and the author, most recently, of the award-winning book Era Obama. Dalla speranza del cambiamento all'elezione di Trump (It was Obama: from the hope for change to the election of Trump).

• Introduction; 1. 'In the shadow of the Vatican'; 2. Spies, masons and 'purely Communist'; 3. A temporary solution; 4. 'The most eventful year' in the history of the Church of Christ in Italy; 5. Cline Paden's departure; Conclusions; List of archives; Index.

'Del Pero significantly enhances our understanding of debates evolving around religious freedom and Catholic power; communism and Italy's democratic future; and local politics and American influence in early Cold War Italy. Beautifully crafted, this book makes an important contribution to the histories of the spiritual Cold War, transnational work on US evangelicalism, and US-Italian relations.' Uta Balbier, author of Altar Call in Europe: Billy Graham, Mass Evangelism, and the Cold-War West