What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Pope at War
David I. Kertzer · Book · 2023
If you loved The Pope at War, start with The Pope's Exorcist (Julius Avery, 2023) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Pope at War across media.
If The Pope at War gripped you, it is because you are fascinated by the intersection of moral compromise, institutional power, and history.
Films on the same thread
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
Like The Pope at War, this film explores the heavy burden of leadership during global conflict and the complex moral ambiguities that define figures operating within the shadows of power.
Rome, Open City
Film · 1945
Shares a thread with The Pope at War: Fascism.
This neorealist masterpiece shares the tense atmosphere of The Pope at War, grounding the brutal reality of the Nazi occupation in the lived experiences of those caught in the conflict.
The Pope's Exorcist
Julius Avery · Film · 2023
Explores: Good vs Evil, Faith vs Doubt, Conspiracy.
Those drawn to the institutional intrigue of The Pope at War will recognize the familiar portrayal of the Vatican as a place where secrets and conspiracies demand intense scrutiny.
The Two Popes
Fernando Meirelles · Film · 2019
Explores: Succession, Moral Dilemma, Faith and Doubt.
This film echoes the internal dynamics found in The Pope at War, focusing on the heavy weight of the papacy and the difficult choices made within the Vatican walls.
Series on the same thread
The World at War
Series · 1973
Shares a thread with The Pope at War: 20th Century History.
If you appreciated the comprehensive scope of The Pope at War, this series provides a similarly rigorous and expansive historical account of the defining events of the twentieth century.
The Nazis: A Warning from History
Laurence Rees · Series · 1997
Shares a thread with The Pope at War: Moral Responsibility.
This documentary series dives into the rise of fascism with the same analytical precision seen in The Pope at War, examining the political maneuvering that shaped the wartime era.
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2016
Explores: faith and doubt, power dynamics, corruption.
Much like the power dynamics detailed in The Pope at War, this drama navigates the secretive, often corrupt corridors of the Vatican through the lens of a singular leader.
The War
Series · 2007
Explores: World War II, Homefront, Personal Accounts.
While The Pope at War focuses on high-level diplomacy, this series captures the human cost of the same war, offering a vital perspective on the consequences of global conflict.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If the moral inquiry of The Pope at War captured your interest, this podcast applies that same critical, unorthodox thinking to the most difficult questions of human history.
World War II Podcast
Payton Kleidon · Podcast · 2020
This podcast serves as a perfect companion to The Pope at War, providing a detailed breakdown of the major military engagements that defined the era of the Second World War.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Pope at War considered a reliable historical account?
The Washington Post describes The Pope at War as the most comprehensive account of the Vatican’s relations to the Nazi and fascist regimes before and during World War II, utilizing the author's detective and narrative skills to examine the Catholic Church’s conduct during that period.
What is the primary focus of The Pope at War?
The Pope at War focuses on the actions and policies of the Catholic Church during World War II. David I. Kertzer explores the complex relationship between the Vatican and the Nazi and fascist regimes, providing a detailed analysis of the Church's conduct throughout the war.
How has The Pope at War been received by critics?
The Pope at War is a New York Times bestseller and has received significant critical acclaim. Daniel Silva called it the most important book ever written about the Catholic Church and its conduct during World War II, while Cynthia Ozick described the work as Tolstoyan.
Who is the author of The Pope at War?
The Pope at War was written by David I. Kertzer and published in 2023. Kertzer is recognized for his narrative skills and historical research, which are applied in this book to document the Vatican's diplomatic stance during the events of the Second World War.