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The Secret of Benedict XVI: Is He Still the Pope?
According to many informed observers, the Church is in the midst of the most serious crisis it has ever undergone. More and more questions keep arising about what really happened in 2013 with the surprising “resignation” of Benedict XVI, his decision to remain on as “pope emeritus,” and thus the presence of two popes living side-by-side. Why had the papacy of Benedict XVI become a sign of contradiction? What was happening on the geopolitical level? Who supported a “revolution” within the Catholic Church? Did, in fact, Pope Benedict truly resign? These are the questions Antonio Socci tries to answer, in what can only be described as an exciting “thriller,” closely scrutinizing the facts, along with the actions and words of Benedict XVI over the past six years, and concluding that he remains pope, a fact that has as-yet-unexplored consequences. In this compelling and well-documented work, Socci investigates the mysterious mission to which Benedict XVI has felt called in service of the Church and the world. The author hypothesizes that supernatural events may lie at the root of Benedict’s choice. In this vein, the reader is directed to an ancient prophecy in need of deciphering in relation to Benedict XVI, as well as a new, unpublished account of words spoken by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima, which concern not only the Church but the whole world. ANTONIO SOCCI , a native of Siena, is an Italian journalist and the director of the Perugia School of Journalism. His most recent books from Rizzoli are The Final Prophecy (2016), The House of Young Heroes (2017), and Betrayed, Subjected, Invaded (2018).
- GenresReligionChristianity
182 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2019
90 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Antonio Socci
34 books19 followersAntonio Socci è un giornalista e scrittore italiano.
Frequenta l'università di Siena, dove si laurea in Lettere moderne con una tesi in filologia romanza sulla Divina Commedia.
Ha lavorato come giornalista ne "Il Sabato", "30Giorni nella Chiesa e nel mondo" e al "Giornale".
Ha collaborato inoltre con "Il Foglio", "Libero" e con "Panorama".
Dal 2004 è direttore – per conto della Rai – della "Scuola di giornalismo radiotelevisivo di Perugia".
Frequenta l'università di Siena, dove si laurea in Lettere moderne con una tesi in filologia romanza sulla Divina Commedia.
Ha lavorato come giornalista ne "Il Sabato", "30Giorni nella Chiesa e nel mondo" e al "Giornale".
Ha collaborato inoltre con "Il Foglio", "Libero" e con "Panorama".
Dal 2004 è direttore – per conto della Rai – della "Scuola di giornalismo radiotelevisivo di Perugia".
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 3, 2020
7.5/10
Benedict still is the pope.
But Socci claims that Francis is too (? - no, he's an antipope elected by an illegitimate conclave), so the petrine ministry has been split. He claims Benedict resigned the 'exercise' of the ministry but not the office (munus). The petrine ministry can not be divided, so if Benedict did intend this (he didn't), his resignation was invalid and so was the conclave that elected Bergoglio.
Socci claims this is possibly in preparation for reunion with the EOC, especially the patriarch of Moscow. I mean, if you follow that far, it makes sense - it shows the primacy as shareable, and thus integrable with the EO primus inter pares understanding - but it basically guts Catholic ecclesiology, nullifies Vatican I, and destroys our understanding of the unity of the papacy which is the unity of the church. So I don't follow Socci in the 'two popes' direction. Socci uses the Prophecy of the Popes to attempt to show that Benedict is the last pope as the pope has been understood for two millennia... not buying it. I don't see how this part of the argument can be true without it being a proof for the gates of hell prevailing.
As the book goes on, Socci goes further afield in relying less on deduction than on abductive reasoning and intuitive leaps, weakening (thankfully) the second half.
He's also allergic to good economics.
However, this book, especially in its first half, successfully lays out the case for the continuing papacy of Benedict. Towards the end, Socci essentially paints BXVI as the man who restrains sin (unintentionally) by locating the principle of unity and orthodoxy in his ministry - basically, Francis and the leftists are too scared of schism to go too far off the rails as long as (future Saint) Benedict is still alive, given that a word from him could countermand their agenda and split the church.
Definitely worth reading if you have doubts about the validity of Benedict's resignation or Francis's election. Marked higher than usual because of the lack of good 'Benevacantist' sources available in English. There's one in French called 'He is not Francis', but it's not been translated in to English. Benevacantism remains something largely located in France and Italy, with even the SSPX in America going to lengths to affirm the canonicity, validity, and legitimacy of the election and pontificate of Francis I, Antipope (to use the name he'll enter the Roman annals under in a few decades).
Benedict still is the pope.
But Socci claims that Francis is too (? - no, he's an antipope elected by an illegitimate conclave), so the petrine ministry has been split. He claims Benedict resigned the 'exercise' of the ministry but not the office (munus). The petrine ministry can not be divided, so if Benedict did intend this (he didn't), his resignation was invalid and so was the conclave that elected Bergoglio.
Socci claims this is possibly in preparation for reunion with the EOC, especially the patriarch of Moscow. I mean, if you follow that far, it makes sense - it shows the primacy as shareable, and thus integrable with the EO primus inter pares understanding - but it basically guts Catholic ecclesiology, nullifies Vatican I, and destroys our understanding of the unity of the papacy which is the unity of the church. So I don't follow Socci in the 'two popes' direction. Socci uses the Prophecy of the Popes to attempt to show that Benedict is the last pope as the pope has been understood for two millennia... not buying it. I don't see how this part of the argument can be true without it being a proof for the gates of hell prevailing.
As the book goes on, Socci goes further afield in relying less on deduction than on abductive reasoning and intuitive leaps, weakening (thankfully) the second half.
He's also allergic to good economics.
However, this book, especially in its first half, successfully lays out the case for the continuing papacy of Benedict. Towards the end, Socci essentially paints BXVI as the man who restrains sin (unintentionally) by locating the principle of unity and orthodoxy in his ministry - basically, Francis and the leftists are too scared of schism to go too far off the rails as long as (future Saint) Benedict is still alive, given that a word from him could countermand their agenda and split the church.
Definitely worth reading if you have doubts about the validity of Benedict's resignation or Francis's election. Marked higher than usual because of the lack of good 'Benevacantist' sources available in English. There's one in French called 'He is not Francis', but it's not been translated in to English. Benevacantism remains something largely located in France and Italy, with even the SSPX in America going to lengths to affirm the canonicity, validity, and legitimacy of the election and pontificate of Francis I, Antipope (to use the name he'll enter the Roman annals under in a few decades).
February 20, 2020
Malo como un cadillo en...... Hace tiempo que empezamos a ver a muchos personas el (penosisimo) fenómeno que hemos llamado “Resignacionismo”, y que consiste en la idea de que la renuncia de Benedicto XVI en 2013 no fue válida y, por lo tanto, sigue siendo “Papa”. En septiembre de 2014, Socci lanzó un libro de 282 páginas que conmovió al Vaticano: "No È Francesco: La Chiesa Nella Grande Tempesta" (No es Francisco: la iglesia en una gran tempestad). En este libro, el autor explica por qué cree que ni la renuncia (supuesta) de Benedicto, ni el ascenso de Francisco al oficio Petrino eran válidos. Ahora, con este nuevo libro el autor ha vuelto una vez más a su creencia de que Francisco es un impostor y que Benedicto XVI sigue siendo Papa. En su "investigación" -nada convincente y pobremente documentada- intenta comprender lo que está sucediendo en el Vaticano, pero sobre todo investiga la misteriosa misión a la que ha sido llamado Benedicto XVI, para la Iglesia y para el mundo. El autor, cual gato bocarriba, plantea la hipótesis de que también puede haber eventos sobrenaturales en el origen de su elección. Luego hay que descifrar una antigua profecía sobre Benedicto XVI y finalmente hay una nueva revelación que proviene de Fátima, que no solo afecta a la Iglesia, sino a todo el mundo. De chile, mole y picadillo resulta el texto que en realidad está para partirse de risa, y para sentir una profunda compasión por su pobre autor, y desde luego para lamentar haber pagado diez dólares americanos por semejante basura. Hazte un favor: no lo leas.
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El libro lo publica la biblioteca digital Homo Legens y es promocionado por Infovaticana ¿hace falta decir más?
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El libro lo publica la biblioteca digital Homo Legens y es promocionado por Infovaticana ¿hace falta decir más?
June 27, 2019
This is an interesting read for anyone interested in both Vatican politics and the exceptional situation the Church is facing with these two popes. Socci gives a good summation of much of what has already been said about the matter while also contributing additional content which was new to me.
Reading certain parts of this book, especially the later half of it, left chills running down my spine and encourage me even more, if I wasn’t encouraged enough already, to pray for the Church. Many pertinent and even crucial questions are posed, and some conclusions suggested. Socci is careful while not being timid, and gives indication of truly grasping the mysterious element involved….as much as it is possible to grasp a mystery.
Lastly I should note, least one worry about being suckered into a sedevacantist rabbit hole, that this is no sedevacantist tract. I would suggest reading with an open mind and avoiding preconceptions about where the author is going. Worth the read.
Reading certain parts of this book, especially the later half of it, left chills running down my spine and encourage me even more, if I wasn’t encouraged enough already, to pray for the Church. Many pertinent and even crucial questions are posed, and some conclusions suggested. Socci is careful while not being timid, and gives indication of truly grasping the mysterious element involved….as much as it is possible to grasp a mystery.
Lastly I should note, least one worry about being suckered into a sedevacantist rabbit hole, that this is no sedevacantist tract. I would suggest reading with an open mind and avoiding preconceptions about where the author is going. Worth the read.
January 29, 2020
Interesting Read
Antonio Socci makes a well researched argument of the continued papacy of Benedict XVI. What he writes about is worth considering.
Antonio Socci makes a well researched argument of the continued papacy of Benedict XVI. What he writes about is worth considering.
July 23, 2020
This is a rather speculative interpretation of the current Papal Authority. There are some strong notations to canon law as well as prophetic support. Catholics need to realize that there is a problem with the Vatican hierarchy. However, with thoughtful prayer, patience, and consideration of these unprecedented times we can overcome. We must preserve Faith and not allow doubt in the foundations of the Church’s teaching to allow us to be swayed by leadership who may be experiencing a spiritual crisis. Prayer the Rosary. Practice spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Attend Mass and receive The Sacraments whenever possible. These things are not invalid, they are powerful tools to fight evil.
December 21, 2018
Here's a great review of this book in English, including extensive excerpts from the text:
https://onepeterfive.com/in-new-book-...
https://onepeterfive.com/in-new-book-...
April 25, 2020
Great Book
This is a book every Catholic should read. God Bless Benedict XVI and God Bless our Holy Catholic Church, the Saints, and the body of Christ.
This is a book every Catholic should read. God Bless Benedict XVI and God Bless our Holy Catholic Church, the Saints, and the body of Christ.
November 18, 2020
Deep and revealing
It allows to connect dots across many lines. Ultimately you should enjoy it as the search for truth follows history and wisdom. Good reading.
It allows to connect dots across many lines. Ultimately you should enjoy it as the search for truth follows history and wisdom. Good reading.
January 23, 2024
Well researched but implausible conclusions
The author believes that Pope Benedict XVI resigned the active ‘ministry’ of Pope, but he did not resign the ‘munus’ (office) of Pope. So Benedict remains the real valid pope but he has delegated some public aspects of his role for Francis to complete.
With 15% of the book devoted to footnotes and references, the author presents a wide range of sources and opinions to argue his case. But his conclusions are not persuasive. For example, in the earlier parts of the book he takes issue with International criticism of Benedict for being overly positive about Putin and Russia. Perhaps the subsequent invasion of Ukraine means that the author would take a different approach on those earlier sections?
One of the main reasons that the book is unpersuasive is that both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict have explicitly denied that Benedict is still Pope. They have both said that there is just one pope, ie Francis. This means that this book is presenting a conspiracy theory, as its thesis flies in the face of the direct testimony of the two people most central to its claims. And that means that its claim cannot be falsified, as the testimony of the only relevant witnesses seems to be somehow irrelevant.
The author believes that Benedict’s resignation is a way of trying to control Francis, so that Benedict can step forward at any point and undo anything bad that Francis does or says. Really? If Benedict was genuinely worried about controlling the agenda in the Church then he could have stayed in post as Pope, and just taken things more easily as he saw Pope John Paul II do in his declining final years.
Benedict's resignation and the peculiarities of the novelty of his position as Pope Emeritus suggest that Benedict was trying to do something else entirely. He was trying to create a new position so that there was precedent and process for future Popes to resign. Any oddities of comments and actions are perfectly explicable by the trail blazing nature of the role for a retired Pope which he was trying to develop, rather than being mysterious signs of a hidden conspiracy to stay secretly in the role of Pope.
One of the problems with the book’s thesis is that it has a lot of serious implications which it does not explore. For example, if Benedict is the real Pope, then Francis’ appointment of Cardinals would be invalid. This means that the ability of the Church to elect future Popes is compromised. Isn’t that a very serious problem? And if Benedict was the true Pope and allowed such an enormous problem to occur, wouldn't it raise questions about his own integrity?
Ultimately the book seems to be intently arguing a thesis which seems increasingly less persuasive the more it is presented. And, perhaps most disappointing of all, its thesis tends to imply an unfairly diminished impression of Benedict himself.
The author believes that Pope Benedict XVI resigned the active ‘ministry’ of Pope, but he did not resign the ‘munus’ (office) of Pope. So Benedict remains the real valid pope but he has delegated some public aspects of his role for Francis to complete.
With 15% of the book devoted to footnotes and references, the author presents a wide range of sources and opinions to argue his case. But his conclusions are not persuasive. For example, in the earlier parts of the book he takes issue with International criticism of Benedict for being overly positive about Putin and Russia. Perhaps the subsequent invasion of Ukraine means that the author would take a different approach on those earlier sections?
One of the main reasons that the book is unpersuasive is that both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict have explicitly denied that Benedict is still Pope. They have both said that there is just one pope, ie Francis. This means that this book is presenting a conspiracy theory, as its thesis flies in the face of the direct testimony of the two people most central to its claims. And that means that its claim cannot be falsified, as the testimony of the only relevant witnesses seems to be somehow irrelevant.
The author believes that Benedict’s resignation is a way of trying to control Francis, so that Benedict can step forward at any point and undo anything bad that Francis does or says. Really? If Benedict was genuinely worried about controlling the agenda in the Church then he could have stayed in post as Pope, and just taken things more easily as he saw Pope John Paul II do in his declining final years.
Benedict's resignation and the peculiarities of the novelty of his position as Pope Emeritus suggest that Benedict was trying to do something else entirely. He was trying to create a new position so that there was precedent and process for future Popes to resign. Any oddities of comments and actions are perfectly explicable by the trail blazing nature of the role for a retired Pope which he was trying to develop, rather than being mysterious signs of a hidden conspiracy to stay secretly in the role of Pope.
One of the problems with the book’s thesis is that it has a lot of serious implications which it does not explore. For example, if Benedict is the real Pope, then Francis’ appointment of Cardinals would be invalid. This means that the ability of the Church to elect future Popes is compromised. Isn’t that a very serious problem? And if Benedict was the true Pope and allowed such an enormous problem to occur, wouldn't it raise questions about his own integrity?
Ultimately the book seems to be intently arguing a thesis which seems increasingly less persuasive the more it is presented. And, perhaps most disappointing of all, its thesis tends to imply an unfairly diminished impression of Benedict himself.
May 18, 2021
If you want to get your head around why we have two Popes, and indeed there are, then this is a brilliant book that has the conjecture that Benedict XVI has not flown from the wolves but rather is the last bastion of the Church.
Socci's reasoning is fabulous, linking the current state of the Church with its emphasis on environment and climate change rather than saving souls with the great secret of Fatima and the prophecies of St Malachy on the popes.
Is Pope Benedict the last pope and is Pope Francis the mysterious Peter the Roman?
A book well worth the read. Fascinating
Socci's reasoning is fabulous, linking the current state of the Church with its emphasis on environment and climate change rather than saving souls with the great secret of Fatima and the prophecies of St Malachy on the popes.
Is Pope Benedict the last pope and is Pope Francis the mysterious Peter the Roman?
A book well worth the read. Fascinating
March 18, 2021
This book started out in the world as we know it but as it went on it strayed away from the title question and into the further reaches of popular Catholicism. The land beyond beyond has no bearing on whether Benedict is still pope. I wouldn't be persuaded by his argument but then... I don't need persuading.
December 1, 2025
7/10 - I enjoyed the commentary on whether Benedict XVI's resignation was prudent or not. However, I do think the link to the 3rd Secret of Fatima and the Prophecy of Malachy is a bit far-fetched within this book.
November 29, 2021
Too especulative, but also provoking. Interesting reading.
December 10, 2022
Muy interesante.
February 25, 2024
Es interesante el punto de vista de este libro. Obviamente son libros que levantan controversia y que a muchos no les gusta. Esta bien documentado y es corto.
February 8, 2019
Manca solo la profezia dei Maya, e poi c'è tutto.
Supponente, fazioso e approssimativo.
Supponente, fazioso e approssimativo.
March 10, 2019
davvero interessante, ben documentato
October 21, 2019
Excelente investigacion, trae mucha informacion ... se lee de una leida ....buen trabajo
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews