What is the official protocol for a Pope's funeral? How is the conclave organized? How is a new Pope elected? How is the Vatican State run? How is it organised? ... These are just some of the questions answered in VATICAN SECRETS, a simple and concise guide to how the Vatican State is organized and what have been the key moments throughout its history. Written by researcher and Vatican expert Eric Frattini, this is a book which intends to clarify the complex procedures which take place behind all the decisions and actions carried out by the Vatican, and expose the day-to-day duties of a Pope, as well as the official protocol, the symbols, the traditions, the hierarchy, and the overall organization of a state which is run under a tight secrecy.

The book is presented in a question-answer format (each answer is less than half a page long) and covers many different aspects, from anecdotic notes such as which Pope gave name to a famous dish to more serious issues such as the Vatican's involvement in political and economical spheres or the existence of a Papal Espionage Service. It also includes a detailed organization chart and a chronology of Popes' mandates. Which are the seven vows that the Pope must accept upon his nomination? What power does he have? Which Pope invented the current calendar? Where do the terms "Pope" and "Pontificate" come from? Who was the youngest Pope ever elected? What have been the different reactions by Popes on the Holocaust? What is the origin of the Swiss Guards? Why do cardinals dress in red? How much does a cardinal earn? Which cardinal avoided the war between Argentina and Chile? What are the rights and the duties of the citizens of the Vatican State? From which window in the Vatican State is it possible to see three countries at the same time? What is the Roman Curia? Which newspaper does the Pope read? What is the Vatican's relationship with the Mafia? Does the Vatican have its own espionage service? How does it work? What is the Soldalitium Pianum? How many Jewish Popes have there been?

Published by Edaf, 2003, 284 pages.