What do you think?
Rate this book
Saint Pius V: The Legendary Pope Who Excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I, Standardized the Mass, and Defeated the Ottoman Empire
Few Catholic writers have been as prolific as University of Rome Professor Roberto de Mattei. Over decades he has produced a wealth of incisive analyses about the Catholic world’s collapse and charted an authoritative path back to health and sanity. He has now written an exceedingly compelling and powerful biography of Pope Pius V, widely recognized as one of the boldest and most courageous popes of the past millennium, who decisively defeated the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto and fought head-on the Protestant Reformation, which had assailed the Church. The life of every Christian is a battle, and St. Pius V offers us a luminous example of leadership in a time of trial. In these pages, you’ll You’ll also learn of Pope Pius V’s remarkable spiritual life and regimen, his foresight and prudence in dealing with the iconoclastic fury of the Huguenots in France, and the way he handled the trials of excommunicated heretics and reformed the rotting religious orders of his day. Professor de Mattei makes clear that Pope Pius V was so effective and so holy that no pontificate can be judged accurately without measuring it against his. In page after fascinating page, he shows contemporary Catholics what it means to be “a great pope” or “a saintly bishop.” Here, at last, is the complete life and times of one of the Church’s greatest prelates by one of her finest historians.
464 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2021
23 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Roberto de Mattei
58 books33 followersRoberto de Mattei (born 21 February 1948 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian Roman Catholic historian and author.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 18, 2022
An excellent biography by a great Catholic historian. Roberto de Mattei's Saint Pius V was published on the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto, the great Christian naval victory over the Ottoman Turks that owes more to Pope Pius V than any other individual. If all he had done in his Pontificate was to organize the Christian nations to fight that battle, he would already rank as one of the greatest Popes in history.
As it turned out, Pope Pius V did much more in his mere six year pontificate. Roberto de Mattei shows the monumental influence that this Pope had on the Church, from reforming the liturgy to promoting the rosary, fighting heresy (he was a Dominican and an inquisitor before his papal election) and even suppressing profane music in church and promoting Georgian chant. Saint Pius V is a model bishop, pastor, warrior, and Pope for the universal Church, whose example is needed today more than ever.
As it turned out, Pope Pius V did much more in his mere six year pontificate. Roberto de Mattei shows the monumental influence that this Pope had on the Church, from reforming the liturgy to promoting the rosary, fighting heresy (he was a Dominican and an inquisitor before his papal election) and even suppressing profane music in church and promoting Georgian chant. Saint Pius V is a model bishop, pastor, warrior, and Pope for the universal Church, whose example is needed today more than ever.
September 12, 2021
I wish more people knew about Pope St. Pius V. He was such an extraordinary person, and Roberto de Mattei did a great job retelling the main events of his life. This book covers many of the different aspects of the life of Pius V, including the Battle of Lepanto, the standardization of the Mass, and his fight against Protestantism.
December 31, 2023
This book was challenging to read. However, it was very well researched and I loved how it was organized. The amount of information that Professore de Mattei was so helpful and relevant to the book. I admire his scholarship and diligence to bring this book to “life.”
I had some background on St Pius V prior to reading and respect the fact that he was Pope and a declared Saint of the Catholic Church. I am also a practicing Catholic, who tries her best (I am aware of my own shortcomings with my personal faith and the challenges of the Catholic Church). The author is very rigidly Catholic, where it was challenging for me to read and reconcile his biases towards the Catholic Church and St Pius V’s actions/beliefs. I am aware that it’s not fair to apply modern beliefs to historical actions and thinking. It was a bit frustrating at times, so I had to give myself a break after a few chapters.
Overall, I did enjoy the book even with my own disagreements with the biases. I learned so much and really want to dive deeper with some of the subjects that were touched on in this book. My advice is to take breaks if parts are challenging and to continue on reading. You don’t need to agree with everything that is being written, but to admire the scholarship and information being supplied.
I had some background on St Pius V prior to reading and respect the fact that he was Pope and a declared Saint of the Catholic Church. I am also a practicing Catholic, who tries her best (I am aware of my own shortcomings with my personal faith and the challenges of the Catholic Church). The author is very rigidly Catholic, where it was challenging for me to read and reconcile his biases towards the Catholic Church and St Pius V’s actions/beliefs. I am aware that it’s not fair to apply modern beliefs to historical actions and thinking. It was a bit frustrating at times, so I had to give myself a break after a few chapters.
Overall, I did enjoy the book even with my own disagreements with the biases. I learned so much and really want to dive deeper with some of the subjects that were touched on in this book. My advice is to take breaks if parts are challenging and to continue on reading. You don’t need to agree with everything that is being written, but to admire the scholarship and information being supplied.
March 24, 2024
I recently read a biography of Pius V and complained that it was rather short. So my dear wife bought me this full-sized biography.
It is a good biography but still I am not satisfied. It seems to me that I do not really learn enough about the great man. There is nothing at all about his family background, or about his youth. And very little about his life before he became Pope at the age of 62. And even about these last years we really learn only about his fight against heresy, against the infidels (i.e. Turks) and his liturgical reforms.
Nothing about the his reforms inside Vatican that Durant mentioned. Not even the courts jester deserves a place in this book.
De Mattei describes himself as a militant Catholic although he rejects the accusation of having written an apologetic work. (p. xx) I am a Catholic myself but at times I found his formulations irritating. He does call the Bartholomew Night a massacre, but most of the time when you read him you get the impression that the atrocities were committed only on the Protestant side. For example he describes in detail how the man (John Felton) who made the fact public that Elizabeth was excommunicated got quartered. “Thus died many English martyrs under Elizabeth the Bloody”. (p 200) But, surely, there was some reason why we still speak of Bloody Mary. Or is this only Protestant propaganda?
The book is strongest in its description of the heresies that existed at the time. It is one of the mysteries to me how the new beliefs could spread in just a few couple of years. And even more amazing that people were happy to substitute one bizarre belief system with something even more bizarre. I understand (and appreciate) that Luther and his followers got rid of most of the sacraments. But that the dogma sola fide was accepted (or predestination) seems unbelievable to me.
All in all, I though that Catholicism is less crazy than all other systems. That is until I learned from de Mattei about the strange heresy of Lelio Socini. For Socianism Scripture is the supreme Authority. But it is not free of errors. It must be interpreted according to reason! They doubted the Divinity of Christ and did not believe in hereditary of Original Sin. No grace is required for eternal life. Resurrection of the flesh is denied and the eternal punishment in hell. “The essence of Christianity is reduced to the principle of tolerance for all religions.” (p. 116) If I have to have a religion let me be a Socianist.
There is not much new I learned about Lepanto, except how the Pope tried - in vain - to get France and Poland to participate.
Pope Pius V accomplished a lot in his life. And how much of it was due to his faith? He spent hours every day praying. What really went on in his mind?
When he was dying he had this to say:
I cannot help but be envious of this man.
7/10
It is a good biography but still I am not satisfied. It seems to me that I do not really learn enough about the great man. There is nothing at all about his family background, or about his youth. And very little about his life before he became Pope at the age of 62. And even about these last years we really learn only about his fight against heresy, against the infidels (i.e. Turks) and his liturgical reforms.
Nothing about the his reforms inside Vatican that Durant mentioned. Not even the courts jester deserves a place in this book.
De Mattei describes himself as a militant Catholic although he rejects the accusation of having written an apologetic work. (p. xx) I am a Catholic myself but at times I found his formulations irritating. He does call the Bartholomew Night a massacre, but most of the time when you read him you get the impression that the atrocities were committed only on the Protestant side. For example he describes in detail how the man (John Felton) who made the fact public that Elizabeth was excommunicated got quartered. “Thus died many English martyrs under Elizabeth the Bloody”. (p 200) But, surely, there was some reason why we still speak of Bloody Mary. Or is this only Protestant propaganda?
The book is strongest in its description of the heresies that existed at the time. It is one of the mysteries to me how the new beliefs could spread in just a few couple of years. And even more amazing that people were happy to substitute one bizarre belief system with something even more bizarre. I understand (and appreciate) that Luther and his followers got rid of most of the sacraments. But that the dogma sola fide was accepted (or predestination) seems unbelievable to me.
All in all, I though that Catholicism is less crazy than all other systems. That is until I learned from de Mattei about the strange heresy of Lelio Socini. For Socianism Scripture is the supreme Authority. But it is not free of errors. It must be interpreted according to reason! They doubted the Divinity of Christ and did not believe in hereditary of Original Sin. No grace is required for eternal life. Resurrection of the flesh is denied and the eternal punishment in hell. “The essence of Christianity is reduced to the principle of tolerance for all religions.” (p. 116) If I have to have a religion let me be a Socianist.
There is not much new I learned about Lepanto, except how the Pope tried - in vain - to get France and Poland to participate.
Pope Pius V accomplished a lot in his life. And how much of it was due to his faith? He spent hours every day praying. What really went on in his mind?
When he was dying he had this to say:
... the hour has come to pay the final debt to nature as a man, by means of death, so that my flesh may return to the dust from which it was formed and my soul may return to God who created it. If you have loved my mortal life, full of an infinite number of miseries, you should love even more the immutable and happy life that the Mercy of God, as I hope, shall soon grant to me in Heaven, among the angels and saints. (p. 330)
I cannot help but be envious of this man.
7/10
May 31, 2025
I opened it expecting yet another typical biography of a saint - early life, vocation, heroic virtues, miracles. And this one on St. Pius V has all of them, but also much more. If anything, de Mattei's book is primarily a serious and comprehensive work of scholarship in 16th century history, with the bibliography taking up almost a fifth of the total pages. He starts by discussing the corruption and laxity inside the church which led to the protestant reformation, and goes on to paint a vivid picture of the cultural, historical, and ecclesiastical background from which Pius V emerged. In such light, this holy pope's ability to combine unwavering faith and political strength in reforming the Church, reviving devotion, and reforging the Christendom against Turkish invasion seems all the more impressive. One closes this book not only inspired, but also much informed about all the major historical events and notable figures in the 16th century.
May 20, 2022
Quite a good read if one is interested in the reforms that took place in the Catholic Church because of the Council of Trent and the Protestant Reformation. However I have never been able to justify the cold-blooded legal murder of the Inquisition as a legit means of preserving the faith. This just doesn't jell with Jesus' teaching of ' love your enemy, do good to them that hate you, turn the other cheek etc.
The author tries to justify this and other things as 'fit for the times' and I guess this is like our present day when clerics dismiss abortion as a 'social problem' rather than condemn it as child murder. Seeing the Pope as a temporal ruler of the Papal States and in his mind all of Christendom create conflicts of interest also reinforces preference for the modern Papacy which has no temporal power (only some moral power) I was fascinated by the term 'white heresy' mentioned on page 350. Perhaps this is the church's problem today?
The author tries to justify this and other things as 'fit for the times' and I guess this is like our present day when clerics dismiss abortion as a 'social problem' rather than condemn it as child murder. Seeing the Pope as a temporal ruler of the Papal States and in his mind all of Christendom create conflicts of interest also reinforces preference for the modern Papacy which has no temporal power (only some moral power) I was fascinated by the term 'white heresy' mentioned on page 350. Perhaps this is the church's problem today?
March 16, 2023
Highly researched and cross referenced life of St Pius V. Plenty of valuable information here on the saints life. Especially related to King Philip II, The Battle of Lepanto and The Council of Trent
I was expecting to see William Thomas Walsh’s biography called Philip II cited. But it was not, this may have been an oversight but perhaps it was selective.
Overall a comprehensive Catholic history on this pivotal pontificate. Also appreciated the devotional items. Such as mentioning the first time wide spread use of rosary in the format we now use.
I was expecting to see William Thomas Walsh’s biography called Philip II cited. But it was not, this may have been an oversight but perhaps it was selective.
Overall a comprehensive Catholic history on this pivotal pontificate. Also appreciated the devotional items. Such as mentioning the first time wide spread use of rosary in the format we now use.
August 1, 2022
Excellent, much needed survey of the life and accomplishments of St. Pius V. How he was precisely the right man for the job following the conclusion of the Council of Trent, the victory over the Turks at Lepanto in 1571, and so on. Professor de Mattei presents this all in an eminently readable style. Should be required reading in Catholic high schools worldwide.
February 21, 2022
Excellent example of what a pope should be. Especially since we have the current pontiff to compare St. Pius to.
August 14, 2025
Such an incredible read! I haven’t read a ton of history books and this one was fascinating and relevant. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 12, 2023
Eye-Opening. Whne you remember that Pope Pius V is a saint, it is interesting, because I think many people would hear what he had done and assume he was not a holy many, but he is, and did what he had to do at the time. While at times, this was more history connected to the Pope than about the Pope himself, I enjoyed it because of the great insight it had into a particular set of years, and the time before and after it. Certainly, there is a perspective and bias in this, but still it was enjoyable and thought-provoking.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews