Pope Patrick

by Peter de Rosa

The year is 2009. America has its first Catholic president since Kennedy. The planet's other superpower is the Federation of Islamic Republics, stretching from Morocco to Pakistan. And in Rome, the aging Polish Pope, obstinate and combative to the end, has died, and the conclave of cardinals must choose a successor. After a great deal of argument and debate, they choose the least controversial and least political candidate, the one least likely to upset the Vatican status quo - Brian O'Flynn, a kindly old Irish priest who reads Yeats and publishes obscure academic theses. At the moment of his election, a three-hundred-pound ornamental pillar falls on his head. Then all hell breaks loose. Pope Patrick is the riotous story of a mild-mannered country cardinal who - through a democratic election, a twist of fate, and a little help from his golden Lab, Charley - turns the Vatican upside down and throws the industrial world into chaos. He deals once and for all with the thorny issues of contraception, the celibacy of the clergy, and the infallibility of the Pope; sends the Dow Jones tumbling and the hopes of the downtrodden soaring - and in the process brings the world to the brink of catastrophe.

Genres: Fiction, Literature

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

De Rosa is a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, focusing on Catholic and Irish history. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1956 but left the priesthood in 1970, after which he became a Staff Producer for the BBC and then a full-time writer. After living for thirty years in County Wicklow, Ireland, Peter now lives in Bournemouth, England.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not re-read books. I was making an exception as a) I had just finished reading the Doomsday Key from James Rollins with its mention of the Malachy prophecy of the popes and b) the new "APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM" from Pope Francis and c) the negotiations with Iran reminded me of Pope Patrick. The book is from 1996 but takes place in 2009.

The book was enjoyable in various different ways. My favourites included when the pope starts to fix bicycles and they end up on auctions, the pilgrimage to Ireland where the cardinals are moved outside their comfort zones, and of course, the interactions with Charlie his dog and his cat. There's a history lesson about the Irish and the treatment they received from the British - ouch.

Patrick's evangelii about the poor and evil of interest is essentially a declaration of war to the western world; well, especially the point where paying interest is a sin which a good catholic can not do. I pray for Pope Francis' health and long life. Although, his evangelii is much more balanced and seems to bring a moral pillar to a capitalist system, it has also brought attacks based on fear and misunderstanding. It has also elevated the discussion about the poor and economic inequality and that has been a welcome focus for the vatican.

One book that will remain memorable for me. Even as I now put in the pile to give away (to the public library).

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

De Rosa gives a fictionalized account at what would happen at the death of Pope John Paul II. This book was published in 1997, before the death of Pope John Paul II, so it's especially interesting to read now what De Rosa thought would be. In his story Islamic Fundamentalists play a huge role in the world and the Catholic Church struggles with issues such as celibacy/marriage and usury interest/banking. The Pope who succeeded John Paul II didn't meet anyone's expectations completely. Reading this book, I felt that De Rosa was a sincere Catholic Christian who acknowledged the foibles of his church's ways. Very funny and insightful book.

[Damian North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession to make, as a writer of papal fiction myself, I did not know that this book existed until I stumbled across it in a bookshop in Belfast, and immediately knew that I had to buy it.

It was hilarious from the start to the finish, especially the scenes from the conclave and the Papal pilgrimage back to the West Of Ireland (Pope Patrick is Irish) where hell isn't everlasting flames and heat but the cold and the rain. There was a beautiful side to Patrick that I really loved, and an innocence almost childlike in the manner in which he carried himself in handling the papacy from mending bicycles to introducing his beloved dog to the people of the world.

The book was written in 1995 and set in 2009, and its surprising how much Peter de Rosa had predicted in the book that actually came true - with the exception of a certain retired Cardinal Rottweiler .

So if you appreciate papal fiction, certainly give it a go. It will make you laugh when you realize that 'Popes just like Pineapples shouldn't grow in Ireland.'

Damian North

[FRED GARTNER]

Outrageous

This is an unbelievable satire on the papacy. There are plenty of situations that could be looked at as being not believable. But then what do you expect from a former priest. The author really "socks it to the Vatican" by this book. I had to laugh at some of the situations that Pope Patrick he's himself into. I do not recommend this book to a practicing Catholic. If the reader has no problems with any situation in this book, then I recommend this book. Beware of the laugh meter as you read this outrageous book. Enjoy.

[Jay Daze · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if someone who actually followed Jesus Christ's teachings and spirit became Pope?

Funny, biting, challenging, baffling (to someone outside Christian religion but with a mother who was a Catholic), uncompromising challenging (while it takes apart the Catholic Church's rotten structure - abortion is murder in this book). A great packed book. Very religious in the best sense.

Felt shaky about the Muslim sections at first (written pre-911) but thought de Rosa pulled them off well.

[Sorcha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't have said this book was humorous, though much about its marketing says it is. Overall, I'm sad it sat for years on my shelf without being read, because it was interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Not all of it stands the test of time, and it's intriguing to see how the world has change (and how it hasn't) since this was written.

[Sally · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't care for the humor, sarcastic and otherwise. Alot of world government talk also. DNF

[Dana Kraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up because I thought it was good satire about the church. It was meh at best. It doesn’t hold up well and I’m not sure it’s funny by 90s standards either.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this book when it first came out. Good points raised in a delightful, amusing and concerning way.

[Chris Gunty · Rating 2 out of 5]

An intriguing concept, a speculative novel about the possible successor (in 2009) after the death of John Paul II. An unassuming Irishman is elected to the papacy after a deadlock, and proceeds to make sweeping changes in the Church. Written from a perspective of Ireland (published in Dublin, 1995), this book was certainly known by former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican Raymond Flynn when he wrote "The Accidental Pope" in 2001, since they have a similar theme -- essential unknown is elected to the papacy. I this book, Pope Patrick startles everyone, including the Curia, by his views on priestly celibacy, contraception, world economics and nuclear weapons.

Of course, it's wild speculation, but at heart, Peter de Rosa has some very good insight into the Vatican and the workings of e church, so it's fun for someone like me who works in the church to see how his perceptions shape the story. It's also interesting to read in light of the election of Pope Francis.

Good, but not great. A fun summer read.

BTW, this copy is signed by the author.

[Odalaigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first picked up Peter de Rosa's book because of the tagline: 'The first man to win the Triple Crown for Ireland.'

I was surprised by the gentle satire and genuine heart of the story, as well as the emotional impact of certain scenes. I get the feeling that there's something special at work here, a delicate nuance that keeps the satire sharp without dipping too much into cynicism. Patrick is an honest fool, yet filled with a strange wisdom and, given the opulence of the Catholic Church - despite its message of humility, the image of a threadbare Pope mending bicycles is a heart-warming one.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memorable.
Set in close future - 2010 or so. An Irish man is elected Pope. He turns the church and the world on its ear with his pronouncements. The FAR Federated Arab Republic is the U.S. enemy and they have nuclear weapons.
Right after his election he is hit on his head by a pillar. Is he crazy?
Pope is very holy and sells the Pieta to feed the poor.
Patrick says priests can marry, no birth control, no lending money with interest.
Well written.
In the end the FAR unleashes nuclear war. Patrick dies and the world ends.
Once they slit the camel's throat, that is the end.
One message among many - don't let the Arab countries unite.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a bit guilty for liking this book so much since I can see how a non-Catholic, particularly a Muslim, would be offended by some of the passages in the novel. But for all its stereotypical depictions of certain characters, it's still fun to read.

[Jason Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of a wacky read, but fun. Imagines what would happen if the Pope was a slightly addled Irishman.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I thought I would like it more when I first started it, but by the end so-so.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite character was Charley! He should have been elected Pope.

[Amanda Ravenscroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very tongue in cheek, but also very prophetic. I laughed at the White House scene with the bankers! It's very "procking" funny :)

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting a satirical farce, it's premise was good but book didn't deliver!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun!

[Sean Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! The ending is a little weird though.