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The Scarlet and the Black: The True Story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, Hero of the Vatican Underground
It has all the hallmarks of a best-selling fictional thriller: espionage, conspiracy, a struggle against evil powers, undercover work by dark of night... but it's all true. The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the man dubbed "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" during World War II.
Born in Killarney, Ireland, Hugh O’Flaherty was an avid athlete? becoming a formidable boxer, handball player, hurler, and golfer. From an early age, however, he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination, he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo, and Czechoslovakia, then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began. After the surrender of Italy in 1943, Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS, who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews, persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office, Msgr. O’Flaherty sprang into action, organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political views. There was one goal? to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kappler’s numerous attempts to assassinate him, O’Flaherty persisted, and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs.
Using private homes and apartments, churches and monasteries, the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. O’Flaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peter’s - neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldn’t violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told, of 9,700 Roman Jews, most were saved, with 1,007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden, 5,000 of them by the official Church - 3,000 at the Pope’s Castel Gandolfo, 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as "members" of the Palatine Guard, and some 1,500 in monasteries, convents and colleges. The remaining 3,700 were hidden in private homes, including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war, O’Flaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs.
-- Illustrated
Para cientos de personas huidas -prisioneros aliados, refugiados, judíos y no judíos a quienes los nazis buscaban por diversos motivos- uno de los más grandes héroes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial es el espigado y jovial sacerdote irlandés Monseñor Hugh Joseph Q’Flaherty. Durante toda la guerra trabajó en el Vaticano; aprovechó esta circunstancia para organizar por su cuenta, extraoficialmente, un sistema de eficacia increíble, con el fin de dar albergue a innumerables refugiados. El relato de sus aventuras es una historia excitante, que arroja una luz reveladora sobre uno de los aspectos menos conocidos de la Guerra. Después de la liberación, Mons. Q’Flaherty fue condecorado por Italia, Canadá y Australia, recibió la Medalla norteamericana de la Libertad y nombrado Comendador del Imperio Británico. Herbert Kappler fue sentenciado a cadena perpetua por crímenes de guerra. En los largos años que estuvo en la prisión italiana, Kappler tuvo un solo visitante: todos los meses, año tras año, Q’Flaherty iba a visitarle. En 1959, el antiguo jefe de la Gestapo de Roma recibió el bautismo de manos del sacerdote irlandés.
Born in Killarney, Ireland, Hugh O’Flaherty was an avid athlete? becoming a formidable boxer, handball player, hurler, and golfer. From an early age, however, he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination, he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo, and Czechoslovakia, then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began. After the surrender of Italy in 1943, Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS, who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews, persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office, Msgr. O’Flaherty sprang into action, organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political views. There was one goal? to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kappler’s numerous attempts to assassinate him, O’Flaherty persisted, and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs.
Using private homes and apartments, churches and monasteries, the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. O’Flaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peter’s - neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldn’t violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told, of 9,700 Roman Jews, most were saved, with 1,007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden, 5,000 of them by the official Church - 3,000 at the Pope’s Castel Gandolfo, 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as "members" of the Palatine Guard, and some 1,500 in monasteries, convents and colleges. The remaining 3,700 were hidden in private homes, including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war, O’Flaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs.
-- Illustrated
Para cientos de personas huidas -prisioneros aliados, refugiados, judíos y no judíos a quienes los nazis buscaban por diversos motivos- uno de los más grandes héroes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial es el espigado y jovial sacerdote irlandés Monseñor Hugh Joseph Q’Flaherty. Durante toda la guerra trabajó en el Vaticano; aprovechó esta circunstancia para organizar por su cuenta, extraoficialmente, un sistema de eficacia increíble, con el fin de dar albergue a innumerables refugiados. El relato de sus aventuras es una historia excitante, que arroja una luz reveladora sobre uno de los aspectos menos conocidos de la Guerra. Después de la liberación, Mons. Q’Flaherty fue condecorado por Italia, Canadá y Australia, recibió la Medalla norteamericana de la Libertad y nombrado Comendador del Imperio Británico. Herbert Kappler fue sentenciado a cadena perpetua por crímenes de guerra. En los largos años que estuvo en la prisión italiana, Kappler tuvo un solo visitante: todos los meses, año tras año, Q’Flaherty iba a visitarle. En 1959, el antiguo jefe de la Gestapo de Roma recibió el bautismo de manos del sacerdote irlandés.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
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August 28, 2020
ENGLISH: True account of the activities of Monsignor O'Flaherty during the occupation of Rome by the Nazis in favor of Jews, escaped POWs and other fugitives.
The TV series "Scarlet and Black" is based on this book, but as usual in film adaptations, they introduced many modifications: they changed the names of almost all the people who helped O'Flaherty, plus adding a few invented characters, such as Father Morosini. Although O'Flaherty spent almost a year immobilized in The Vatican, for there was a price on his head, in the series he is shown touring Rome disguised in various ways: as a nun, as an SS officer, and otherwise.
Some of the anecdotes in Gallagher's book have been modified to make them more cinematic and whimsical. For instance, the scene where O'Flaherty asks for Kappler's autograph in the Opera program and then uses a forged signature to save one of the men of his organization who had been captured by the Nazis is mentioned in the book, but actually happened to different people: the wife of a collaborator of O'Flaherty and a German general, and the signature was kept for a need, but never used.
ESPAÑOL: Relato verídico de las actividades de Monseñor O'Flaherty durante la ocupación de Roma por los nazis en favor de los judíos, los prisioneros de guerra evadidos y otros fugitivos.
La serie de televisión "Escarlata y Negro" está basada en este libro, pero como usualmente ocurre en las adaptaciones fílmicas, introdujeron muchos cambios: cambiaron los nombres de casi todas las personas que ayudaron a O'Flaherty, e inventaron algunas nuevas, como el padre Morosini. Aunque O'Flaherty se pasó casi un año encerrado en El Vaticano, porque habían puesto precio a su cabeza, en la serie le presentan recorriendo Roma disfrazado de diversas maneras: de monja, de oficial de las SS, y de otras maneras.
Algunas de las anécdotas que cuenta el libro de Gallagher han sido modificadas para hacerlas más cinematográficas e imaginativas. Por ejemplo, la escena en la que O'Flaherty pide el autógrafo de Kappler en el programa de la Ópera y luego usa una firma falsificada para salvar a uno de los hombres de su organización que había sido capturado por los nazis, se menciona en el libro, pero en realidad le sucedió a otras personas: a la esposa de un colaborador de O'Flaherty y a un general alemán, y la firma se conservó por si acaso, pero nunca se utilizó.
The TV series "Scarlet and Black" is based on this book, but as usual in film adaptations, they introduced many modifications: they changed the names of almost all the people who helped O'Flaherty, plus adding a few invented characters, such as Father Morosini. Although O'Flaherty spent almost a year immobilized in The Vatican, for there was a price on his head, in the series he is shown touring Rome disguised in various ways: as a nun, as an SS officer, and otherwise.
Some of the anecdotes in Gallagher's book have been modified to make them more cinematic and whimsical. For instance, the scene where O'Flaherty asks for Kappler's autograph in the Opera program and then uses a forged signature to save one of the men of his organization who had been captured by the Nazis is mentioned in the book, but actually happened to different people: the wife of a collaborator of O'Flaherty and a German general, and the signature was kept for a need, but never used.
ESPAÑOL: Relato verídico de las actividades de Monseñor O'Flaherty durante la ocupación de Roma por los nazis en favor de los judíos, los prisioneros de guerra evadidos y otros fugitivos.
La serie de televisión "Escarlata y Negro" está basada en este libro, pero como usualmente ocurre en las adaptaciones fílmicas, introdujeron muchos cambios: cambiaron los nombres de casi todas las personas que ayudaron a O'Flaherty, e inventaron algunas nuevas, como el padre Morosini. Aunque O'Flaherty se pasó casi un año encerrado en El Vaticano, porque habían puesto precio a su cabeza, en la serie le presentan recorriendo Roma disfrazado de diversas maneras: de monja, de oficial de las SS, y de otras maneras.
Algunas de las anécdotas que cuenta el libro de Gallagher han sido modificadas para hacerlas más cinematográficas e imaginativas. Por ejemplo, la escena en la que O'Flaherty pide el autógrafo de Kappler en el programa de la Ópera y luego usa una firma falsificada para salvar a uno de los hombres de su organización que había sido capturado por los nazis, se menciona en el libro, pero en realidad le sucedió a otras personas: a la esposa de un colaborador de O'Flaherty y a un general alemán, y la firma se conservó por si acaso, pero nunca se utilizó.
April 2, 2013
Whatever rating I give this, it won't really be fair. The story is incredible, but the writing is...not impressive. In fact, the writing not only didn't add anything to the book, it actually took away from the story. It was so uneven and so choppy, and really somewhat juvenile, that it was distracting. As a general rule, I don't approve of exclamation marks! In nonfiction writing! Because it seems like a grade school report! And also fragments. Even for emphasis.
I can handle the chatty narrative when it's a first person autobiography--I still don't like it, but I can understand the intent. But a supposedly serious biographer should treat his subject with a little more respect, and a little more polish. This book honestly needed to be two, maybe three times the size it was in order to give the subject the treatment is deserved, with the detail and the documentation that I would expect on something like this. Gallagher barrels through years of the war, covering the period immediately after the surrender, when O'Flaherty first started his work, until the end of the war. He leaps months and years in a few chapters, skimming along like an ice skater rather than digging in. I'll treat this as an introductory work rather than the definite masterpiece it was billed as. The story, though? Worth every word.
I can handle the chatty narrative when it's a first person autobiography--I still don't like it, but I can understand the intent. But a supposedly serious biographer should treat his subject with a little more respect, and a little more polish. This book honestly needed to be two, maybe three times the size it was in order to give the subject the treatment is deserved, with the detail and the documentation that I would expect on something like this. Gallagher barrels through years of the war, covering the period immediately after the surrender, when O'Flaherty first started his work, until the end of the war. He leaps months and years in a few chapters, skimming along like an ice skater rather than digging in. I'll treat this as an introductory work rather than the definite masterpiece it was billed as. The story, though? Worth every word.
July 19, 2015
I love the story, I just didn't like how the book was written. It doesn't have a strong narrative thread and it's not very engaging. I hate to say it but the movie is infinitely better.
August 30, 2018
Otro libro que narra una vida de película, la de Monseñor Hugh O'Flaherty, y en este caso de verdad puesto que las peripecias de este sacerdote irlandés fueron llevadas al cine en la película Escarlata y Negro, con Gregory Peck y Christopher Plummer en sus papeles protagonistas.
La vida de Mons. O'Flaherty es un ejemplo más de que la Iglesia no se quedó de manos cruzadas durante la IIGM y se opuso frontalmente al régimen nazi, con riesgo muchas veces de la propia vida de sacerdotes y fieles creyentes.
El libro relata la gigantesca iniciativa del sacerdote irlandés y su red de refugios repartidos por toda la ciudad de Roma, para acoger y esconder a presos fugados de campos de concentración, militares y oficiales heridos o bloqueados en retaguardia, y otras personas necesitadas, todos ellos perseguidos por los nazis. Casas particulares, parroquias, monasterios, granjas... una red amplísima de lugares que escondieron y acogieron a miles de personas durante los meses que el régimen nazi ocupó Roma. Con riesgo de sus vidas en muchas ocasiones.
Y finalizada la ocupación, O'Flaherty se preocupó de ayudar en todo lo posible, rechazando el revanchismo, a italianos y alemanes vencidos, no sólo en lo material, sino también en lo espiritual, alcanzando la gracia de la conversión para su principal perseguidor, el jefe de las SS en Roma, Kappler, que tanto esfuerzo puso en matar a O'Flaherty.
Libro interesante y recomendable.
La vida de Mons. O'Flaherty es un ejemplo más de que la Iglesia no se quedó de manos cruzadas durante la IIGM y se opuso frontalmente al régimen nazi, con riesgo muchas veces de la propia vida de sacerdotes y fieles creyentes.
El libro relata la gigantesca iniciativa del sacerdote irlandés y su red de refugios repartidos por toda la ciudad de Roma, para acoger y esconder a presos fugados de campos de concentración, militares y oficiales heridos o bloqueados en retaguardia, y otras personas necesitadas, todos ellos perseguidos por los nazis. Casas particulares, parroquias, monasterios, granjas... una red amplísima de lugares que escondieron y acogieron a miles de personas durante los meses que el régimen nazi ocupó Roma. Con riesgo de sus vidas en muchas ocasiones.
Y finalizada la ocupación, O'Flaherty se preocupó de ayudar en todo lo posible, rechazando el revanchismo, a italianos y alemanes vencidos, no sólo en lo material, sino también en lo espiritual, alcanzando la gracia de la conversión para su principal perseguidor, el jefe de las SS en Roma, Kappler, que tanto esfuerzo puso en matar a O'Flaherty.
Libro interesante y recomendable.
June 17, 2015
A few months ago I watched the movie, The Scarlet and the Black, and now that I've read the book, I'm not sure which one I like better.
Both the book and film show the dangerous games played to outwit the Germans as they hunted for escaped POWs. The film was very true to the book (except when it combined several characters into one person) and covered all the main incidents. The book, on the other hand, fleshed out the characters, added a few extra hair-raising events, and ended differently. Whereas the book highlighted hundreds of acts of kindness done by O'Flaherty at the war's end, the movie condensed them into one huge act of mercy. Frankly, I loved both endings.
This a great book if you enjoy stories of heroism on the homefront.
Both the book and film show the dangerous games played to outwit the Germans as they hunted for escaped POWs. The film was very true to the book (except when it combined several characters into one person) and covered all the main incidents. The book, on the other hand, fleshed out the characters, added a few extra hair-raising events, and ended differently. Whereas the book highlighted hundreds of acts of kindness done by O'Flaherty at the war's end, the movie condensed them into one huge act of mercy. Frankly, I loved both endings.
This a great book if you enjoy stories of heroism on the homefront.
November 28, 2018
A fascinating portrait in courage and modesty of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who established a vast organization that operated out of the Vatican to save thousands of Allied POWs, Jews and other refugees during World War II. The book is certain to appeal to history buffs.
June 9, 2010
A breath-taking (yet true) account of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a firey Irish Catholic priest assigned to the Vatican just prior to the outbreak of WWII. He has great compassion for the downtrodden and sets up a massive network to retrieve and hide thousands of Jews and allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. His extensive relief efforts grow tremendously when the German troops occupy Italy (and Rome) during 1943 - 1945 (end of the war). He is targeted for capture and even assasination by the Gestapo but is safe so long he stays at the Vatican. Through diguise and intrigue, he ventures outside the Vatican on numerous occasions but always evades capture. When the war ends and the Germans become the oppressed, his compassion turns to aid his former German persecutors. One illustration of his compassion (which I won't reveal) is almost incomprehensible. The book was made into a movie in 1983 starring Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer. Both the book and movie are a must read and a must see. I gave it four stars only because I felt the literary style of the author was not up to par. Otherwise a great read.
March 15, 2013
I don't know that I've ever used the word fascinating when describing a book but here it is.
Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was an Irish priest assigned to the Vatican at the outbreak of World War 2. He used his wits, his friends, his money and the Vatican itself to save thousands of Jews, Allied POWs and other assorted people from the Nazis. He set up a detailed network of safe houses which included many of the buildings in Vatican City.
Even being marked for assassination by the Nazis didn't stop him from helping all who needed it.
I am amazed that I have never heard of him before especially given my obsession with all things World War 2.
I love the part where the Nazis have painted a white line in the road outside of St. Peter's in the hopes that O'Flaherty would cross it (he was safe inside the line as it was extraterritorial property which I assume is much the same as "sanctuary") and daily O'Flaherty would stand on the steps of the church in full view of his would-be killers waiting for lost sheep to find him. (I love a good "in-your-face nazis!!" story)
Great book that led to a lot of googling of other historical figures that I had not heard of before.
Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was an Irish priest assigned to the Vatican at the outbreak of World War 2. He used his wits, his friends, his money and the Vatican itself to save thousands of Jews, Allied POWs and other assorted people from the Nazis. He set up a detailed network of safe houses which included many of the buildings in Vatican City.
Even being marked for assassination by the Nazis didn't stop him from helping all who needed it.
I am amazed that I have never heard of him before especially given my obsession with all things World War 2.
I love the part where the Nazis have painted a white line in the road outside of St. Peter's in the hopes that O'Flaherty would cross it (he was safe inside the line as it was extraterritorial property which I assume is much the same as "sanctuary") and daily O'Flaherty would stand on the steps of the church in full view of his would-be killers waiting for lost sheep to find him. (I love a good "in-your-face nazis!!" story)
Great book that led to a lot of googling of other historical figures that I had not heard of before.
November 26, 2014
The story itself is fascinating. The writing is less impressive with everything strung together so fast that it can be hard to keep track of events. The book could have done with just a touch of breathing space.
That said, this is still very worth reading. One realizes that although the Vatican's official neutrality had to be maintained (as did that of others highlighted in the book), there was a lot of frantic activity below the surface to save lives in Rome right under the Gestapo's nose.
That said, this is still very worth reading. One realizes that although the Vatican's official neutrality had to be maintained (as did that of others highlighted in the book), there was a lot of frantic activity below the surface to save lives in Rome right under the Gestapo's nose.
July 3, 2017
I love this book so much, and I love the movie adaptation! My mom read this aloud to us as a family, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Just a warning that there a few parts to skip because of women agents. ;)
April 25, 2019
"It has all the hallmarks of a best-selling fictional thriller: espionage, conspiracy, a struggle against evil powers, undercover work by dark of night... but it's all true. The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the man dubbed "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" during World War II." -book review
What an incredible hero! Monsignor O'Flaherty (an Irishman working at the Vatican) risked his life again and again to save thousands of people during Germany's WW2 occupation of Rome.
“O’Flaherty, the genial, gentle, guileless priest, was the Pimpernel of the Vatican, robed in scarlet and black, a strangely paradoxical man who for so long detested the British yet saved more Allied lives than any other single person in World War II.” -p. 12
“There were more than four hundred escaped Russian prisoners-of-war hidden in Rome… generally with Communist padrones, for although O’Flaherty, as he told Derry, considered Communism infinitely worse than Nazism…, he had no scruples about using Reds if it saved even one life.” -p. 175
“Though trained to believe, and to preach that charity is the greatest of all virtues, none of his critics could even begin to understand O’Flaherty’s simple- yes, if you like, PEASANT- interpretation of the doctrine ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Yet this was what shone through all O’Flaherty’s actions- it was the only thing that could explain the varying attitudes and reactions, decisions and exploits of this extraordinary man.” -p. 187
From his obituary: “His big heart was open to any and every distress and he was lavish in his efforts to assuage suffering in any form… And above all one could say of him that, without ostentation, his life was always ordered to using his powers in fair weather or foul for the glory of God. Can any of us hope to achieve more?” -p. 18
What an incredible hero! Monsignor O'Flaherty (an Irishman working at the Vatican) risked his life again and again to save thousands of people during Germany's WW2 occupation of Rome.
“O’Flaherty, the genial, gentle, guileless priest, was the Pimpernel of the Vatican, robed in scarlet and black, a strangely paradoxical man who for so long detested the British yet saved more Allied lives than any other single person in World War II.” -p. 12
“There were more than four hundred escaped Russian prisoners-of-war hidden in Rome… generally with Communist padrones, for although O’Flaherty, as he told Derry, considered Communism infinitely worse than Nazism…, he had no scruples about using Reds if it saved even one life.” -p. 175
“Though trained to believe, and to preach that charity is the greatest of all virtues, none of his critics could even begin to understand O’Flaherty’s simple- yes, if you like, PEASANT- interpretation of the doctrine ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Yet this was what shone through all O’Flaherty’s actions- it was the only thing that could explain the varying attitudes and reactions, decisions and exploits of this extraordinary man.” -p. 187
From his obituary: “His big heart was open to any and every distress and he was lavish in his efforts to assuage suffering in any form… And above all one could say of him that, without ostentation, his life was always ordered to using his powers in fair weather or foul for the glory of God. Can any of us hope to achieve more?” -p. 18
December 16, 2023
This book about the heroic "Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican", Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, is an amazingly true story which was eventually adapted into the fantastic 1983 "The Scarlet And The Black" with Gregory Peck as Monsignor O'Flaherty and Christopher Plummer as his nemesis Obersturmbannfuher Kappler. Having grown up loving the film, I was excited to learn more about the real man that Gregory Peck had depicted so wonderfully on-screen. The movie, limited as it was to a certain runtime, could only begin to scratch the surface of the bold lengths to which Monsignor O'Flaherty and his cohorts went in order to hide thousands of fugitives from the Nazis. For every remarkably brazen (yet true) measure depicted by the movie, there were several more, equally courageous actions and near escapes instigated by Monsignor O'Flaherty and his inner circle. "The Scarlet And The Black: The True Story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, Hero of the Vatican Underground" reads like a high-stakes thriller... except in that all of it really happened. If ever a man deserved to have a movie made to commemorate his actions for the ages, the heroic Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the pugnacious Irish priest with an open heart and nerves of steel, was such a man. This book is a must-read for lovers of WWII history, and for those who enjoy stories of bravery that are more amazing than any depicted in fiction.
If you have not read this book, I highly recommend you read it. Then, once you have, go watch "The Scarlet And The Black". I don't think you will regret the time spent learning about and appreciating this outstanding priest.
If you have not read this book, I highly recommend you read it. Then, once you have, go watch "The Scarlet And The Black". I don't think you will regret the time spent learning about and appreciating this outstanding priest.
July 8, 2020
YAY!! What a FUN book. I love the movie The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer. (Side note, the girls watched the first part with us, and were totally NOT ok with the fact that Christopher Plummer plays the anti-Nazi dad in the Sound of Music, and then the SS Commander in this movie). Fantastic acting, beautifully shot - it;s a great movie. I knew it was based on a true story, and started doing a little more research, eventually finding this book. It chronicles the experience of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. He works in the Vatican during WWII. During the Germany occupation of Rome during WWII, there were thousands of escaped prisoners of war, trying to make their way to the neutral territory of Vatican city. Kappler, the commander of the SS forces in Rome is charged with maintaining order in the city, and of course capturing them. O'Flaherty organizes and runs a huge organization, all under ground to hide these escaped POWS. It is a constant battle to feed, clothe, and house these men. Assisted by people from all walks of life, from the Butler of the British ambassador, to kids who live on the street. This is a very exciting read - from disguises, forgeries, costume changes, code names, etc - it kinda reads like a spy novel. The Monsignor is willing to help anyone and everyone who comes to him for help - especially exemplified at the end of the book - but I won't spoil that part for you. I highly recommend it!
September 21, 2020
J. P. Gallaher's "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" is a fun and easy read. It is an introduction to the undercover activities of the rescues of anyone who needed help, whether a Jew, an Allie soldier, and even some Nazis and fascists, by a Catholic priest. Hugh O'Flaherty's exploits were extraordinary. The Nazi's tried to capture him but never succeeded. He saved too many to count.
For O'Flaherty's work, he was awarded the highest honours, including a CBE (UK), the Congressional Medal (US), and was the first Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office. What is unfortunate, is the jealously of other clerics towards him.
"He was unlucky enough to become a legend in his own lifetime and this in itself, combined with the traditional chauvinism of Vatican officialdom, clouded his last years. Now a few of his colleagues and superiors (with the outstanding exception of the redoubtable Cardinal Ottaviani who stood staunchly by him to the end) were bitterly and publicly jealous of his fame--or notoriety, as they would describe it. They looked upon him as an adventurer, a mountebank, or as one American churchman put it, 'A jumped-up Irish peasant!'"
The novelist, Father Andrew Greeley, who also suffered from criticism from fellow clerics, would call them the "murmerantes." Why do priests do that? Those that should know better; that should set an example of charitable rejoicing in a fellow priest's success! Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy!
For O'Flaherty's work, he was awarded the highest honours, including a CBE (UK), the Congressional Medal (US), and was the first Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office. What is unfortunate, is the jealously of other clerics towards him.
"He was unlucky enough to become a legend in his own lifetime and this in itself, combined with the traditional chauvinism of Vatican officialdom, clouded his last years. Now a few of his colleagues and superiors (with the outstanding exception of the redoubtable Cardinal Ottaviani who stood staunchly by him to the end) were bitterly and publicly jealous of his fame--or notoriety, as they would describe it. They looked upon him as an adventurer, a mountebank, or as one American churchman put it, 'A jumped-up Irish peasant!'"
The novelist, Father Andrew Greeley, who also suffered from criticism from fellow clerics, would call them the "murmerantes." Why do priests do that? Those that should know better; that should set an example of charitable rejoicing in a fellow priest's success! Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy!
February 12, 2024
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I saw the movie years ago. O’Flaherty’s story was amazing, the book was not. First, the amazing part… the lives saved and the compassion shown in the face of such threats is awe-inspiring. The writing and organization though are choppy and at points confusing. It’s one of those rare situations where the movie does a better job of telling the story, but you do get more details about some of the people he worked with and wider details about the war in the book. The inside politics in the Vatican at this time are fascinating in a chilling way. His actions in the face of such opposition are even more admirable. So it was an interesting book, that certainly lacked any sort of polish.
In passing the author mentions that O'Flaherty hid Jews throughout the German occupation and then helped them emigrate to Israel after the war. I would have loved more details about this part of his organization. For some reason, it is completely missing from the story.
In passing the author mentions that O'Flaherty hid Jews throughout the German occupation and then helped them emigrate to Israel after the war. I would have loved more details about this part of his organization. For some reason, it is completely missing from the story.
April 17, 2021
Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty worked at the Vatican during WWII. He was instrumental in hiding Jews, escaped POWs and airmen who had to bail out over Italy. He sneaked people in and out of Vatican City in clerical garb as well as in Swiss Guards uniforms. He and a group he assembled, were instrumental in saving thousands of lives. The Germans had orders to arrest him if he so much as stepped outside of Vatican City which was neutral ground. That didn't stop him. He seemed to wander Rome to find anyone who needed him. He and the group of clergy and laity aiding him were instrumental in hiding 3000 Jews in Castel Gandolfo, about 300 as "members" of the Palatine Guard and 1500 in convents, monasteries, seminaries and colleges. Over half of the Jews of Rome were hidden from the SS by the Church.
November 19, 2021
I read this book to research the Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. In fairness, this book was written in 1967, and the author met the Monsignor in 1958, which lends credibility to the work. The book is part tribute to the role the priest played, and part Vatican history, during World War II. The title is somewhat misleading, in that it isn't just about the Monsignor, it is about the underground activities he helped coordinate, including lots of other names and people. There are few books on the Monsignor, so this one has a place in the topic, and it sheds light on a side of the Vatican during World War II that hasn't been highlighted in many places. This book is not a page-turner, but has its place in documenting a little-known piece of history. This classic account was adapted into the 1983 film The Scarlet and the Black with Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer.
March 28, 2020
Esta es la historia de Monseñor Hugh O'Flaherty, sacerdote irlandés, residente del Vaticano y quien durante la 2a Guerra Mundial salvó a miles de judíos y prisioneros aliados. Durante sus días de Pimpinela (en alusión al personaje de la Baronesa O´Drczy) fue perseguido por un oficial de la SS, Herbert Kappler, y aunq según el libro, estuvo varias veces a un pelo de atraparlo, nunca lo hizo.
Al terminar la guerra, Kappler fue condenado a cadena perpetua y durante el tiempo q cumplió condena, se convirtió al catolicismo, en parte bajo la influencia de su adversario Hugh O'Flaherty, que lo visitaba a menudo en la cárcel.
Además de sumamente dinámica, la historia es esperanzadora y está tan bien contada q se termina de un tirón.
Hay película, protagonizada por Gregory Peck. De lujo!!
Al terminar la guerra, Kappler fue condenado a cadena perpetua y durante el tiempo q cumplió condena, se convirtió al catolicismo, en parte bajo la influencia de su adversario Hugh O'Flaherty, que lo visitaba a menudo en la cárcel.
Además de sumamente dinámica, la historia es esperanzadora y está tan bien contada q se termina de un tirón.
Hay película, protagonizada por Gregory Peck. De lujo!!
June 13, 2020
Father O’Flaherty ran a covert operation that hid thousands of soldiers who escaped the Nazis during 1943-1945. He also hid a few Jews. His arch-enemy, Herbert Kappler, the Nazi assigned to oversee Rome, was never able to catch him, no matter how hard he tried. The story has the makings of a great spy thriller/story of human compassion, but the author fails to make it come alive. He has to list Every.Single.Name.and.Event, and the minutiae robs the story of its heart. I did like learning about the Nazi occupation of Rome and how the Vatican maintained its neutrality, and I would recommend it for that. If you want more story, watch the movie starring Gregory Peck (O’Flaherty), Sir John Gielgud (Pope Pius), and Christopher Plummer (Kappler).
April 24, 2021
Esta es la historia fascinante de un hombre que desde su posición en el Vaticano no escatimó esfuerzos para tratar de proteger y esconder a los perseguidos por los nazistas y sus colaboradores durante los últimos años de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
El libro como obra literaria no es extraordinario, pero consigue transmitir el espíritu de la historia y de los protagonistas, aunque sin llegar a emocionar. Aun así, no necesitamos el texto para ello: ese sentimiento nos conmueve hasta lo más hondo cuando intuimos de sus acciones la grandeza y nobleza de hombres así, que encuentran en el amor al prójimo su verdadera vocación y están dispuestos a todo sacrificio para cumplir con ese noble ideal independientemente de ideología o credo.
El libro como obra literaria no es extraordinario, pero consigue transmitir el espíritu de la historia y de los protagonistas, aunque sin llegar a emocionar. Aun así, no necesitamos el texto para ello: ese sentimiento nos conmueve hasta lo más hondo cuando intuimos de sus acciones la grandeza y nobleza de hombres así, que encuentran en el amor al prójimo su verdadera vocación y están dispuestos a todo sacrificio para cumplir con ese noble ideal independientemente de ideología o credo.
March 7, 2025
I’d rate this book 4 1/2 stars. This biography of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty is a very compelling story of how he helped save the lives of so many innocent Allied soldiers, refugees of many nations, and Italian civilians while serving in the Vatican during WWII. He was a true saint. Some of the stories of how this Scarlet Pimpernel and members of his organization escaped capture by the SS and German soldiers are truly incredible and makes the reading riveting. I now want to watch the movie of the same name, starring Gregory Peck, that was based on this book.
July 25, 2020
Fascinating read of what a priest stationed at the Vatican during WWII did to help those in most need to hide from the Nazis. It didn't matter is you were an American, Irish, British, French, Russian, etc - Fr. O'Flaherty was there to help. After Nazis retreated from Rome, he then helped those Nazi or Italian Fascistic left behind. He did all this while the Nazis desperately tried to stop him and eventually kill him. It is less than 200 pages and a pretty quick read.
March 7, 2024
Amazing true story of an Irish Monsignor at the Vatican and his amazing efforts with the underground saving thousands. I first watched the movie and was so intrigued that I wanted to read the book. It is well written but there are so many names that I kind of got lost. I would highly recommend seeing the movie, starring Gregory Peck as Monsignor Hugh O’Flarerty. The book is a difficult read but I’m glad I did.
December 24, 2024
I had to check Neil’s rating system for this rating as I wasn’t sure if it was a 2 or 3 star rating. This story is important and I’m glad I know it. But I’d rather watch a movie on it than read the book.
The book was straightforward, not really painting a picture of the time or describing the situation in Rome. It told Msgr. O’Flaherty’s story clearly, just not in the most exciting light. I’d recommend it to people only for them to know more about him.
The book was straightforward, not really painting a picture of the time or describing the situation in Rome. It told Msgr. O’Flaherty’s story clearly, just not in the most exciting light. I’d recommend it to people only for them to know more about him.
January 6, 2018
A little slow to get into, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm glad I stuck with it. The use of "in their own words" passages from diaries of many of the characters was enjoyable and helped bring the story of this horrific era to life.
April 8, 2020
A wonderful story of the bravery of Monsignor Hugh and other men and women. The book wasn't amazingly written but it's quite possible that I just found it grueling to read since I know the story so well already. :)
May 13, 2020
A story about a man of faith who followed God’s call to help others. Father O’Flaherty did his work no matter the danger to his own life. He was willing to help anyone no matter who they were. The book is very good at telling the life story of a priest who fought in his own way against evil.
February 11, 2023
This is non-fiction, so the story is bound to facts. But in this case, the facts are so interesting and swashbuckling, that it reads almost like a novel. What a great man! The author wrote it well, too.
March 4, 2023
An extraordinary story of a priest whose “life was always ordered to using his powers in fair weather or foul for the glory of God”.
Unfortunately, the writing style did not make the story come alive, it seemed to be too concerned with being factual right down to the dullest of minutiae.
Unfortunately, the writing style did not make the story come alive, it seemed to be too concerned with being factual right down to the dullest of minutiae.
February 9, 2024
I’m not sure why the story of this Irish priests amazing bravery during WWII has captured my heart so tightly but it has. He and all those who worked with him to save so many is a true testimonial to the power of love. I wish I had known about this when I was last in Rome.
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