La DC, la Chiesa e il centro-sinistra: Fanfani e l'"asse Vaticano" 1959-1962

Christian Democracy, the Church and Center-Left Politics: Fanfani and the «Vatican Axis», 1959-1962 (by Michele Marchi) - The aim of the author is to show how the process that led to the involvement of the Socialist Party in the government of Italy from 1959 to 1962 was made possible by a close coordination between the most important leaders of Christian Democracy and the Vatican. The essay moves from the analysis of the main literature on the subject and of the daily and periodical press of the time, but it also makes extensive use of Amintore Fanfani’s diaries and correspondence as well as of the notes of prominent Vatican personalities, like Mons. Dell’Acqua and Mons. Tucci. The essay shows the main disagreements existing both within the Italian Catholic episcopacy and within the Vatican during the troubled transition between Pacelli’s and Roncalli’s pontificates, disproving common claims that presented the latter as eminently non-political. At the same time it describes Fanfani’s (but also Moro’s) ability to take advantage of the peculiar ecclesiastic situation that allowed the Christian Democratic Party to become more and more independent from Vatican control, especially given the special relationship and hidden support of pope John XXIII and his inner circle.

Michele Marchi, La DC, la Chiesa e il centro-sinistra: Fanfani e l'"asse Vaticano" 1959-1962 in "MONDO CONTEMPORANEO" 2/2008, pp 41-90, DOI: