Archbishop Sergio Pagano, the long-serving prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archive, is stepping into the limelight as he prepares for retirement. After 45 years of dedicated service, Pagano is ready to share some of the hidden truths he has unearthed within the walls of one of the world’s most renowned repositories of documents.
In an exclusive interview ahead of his retirement, Pagano provided a glimpse into his upcoming book titled “Secretum,” where he promises to unveil a trove of unknown and behind-the-scenes details spanning over 12 centuries of Vatican history. Collaborating with Italian journalist Massimo Franco, Pagano sheds light on various historical events, from Napoleon’s plundering of the archive in 1810 to the intricacies of the Galileo affair and the intriguing 1922 conclave funded by last-minute donations from American Catholics.
“This will be the first and last time,” Pagano remarked, acknowledging that his retirement marks the end of an era. Since its opening to scholars by Pope Leo XIII in 1881, the Vatican Apostolic Archive has served as a reservoir of papal history, housing documents dating back to the 8th century and spanning 85 kilometers of shelving.
Pagano’s tenure witnessed a surge in scholarly interest, particularly concerning the pontificate of Pope Pius XII. Despite ongoing debates surrounding Pius’ actions during World War II, Pagano takes a critical stance, expressing disappointment at the pontiff’s silence on Nazi atrocities even after the war.
While acknowledging the Vatican’s traditional support for the Palestinian cause, Pagano suggests that Pius’ post-war reticence stemmed from concerns about the geopolitical implications of condemning the Holocaust.
Pagano’s revelations extend beyond historical controversies. He criticizes the incomplete research behind Pius’ sainthood cause, highlighting the absence of comprehensive analysis due to reliance on outdated documentation.
Furthermore, Pagano unveils the origins of the financial ties between the Vatican and the U.S. Church, tracing it back to the 1922 conclave’s dire financial situation. He discloses the encrypted telegrams detailing urgent pleas for financial assistance from the American faithful, facilitating the election of Pope Pius XI.
Pagano speculates on the Vatican’s recent rebranding of the archive, suggesting a financial motive aimed at cultivating donations, particularly from the affluent U.S. Church.
Amidst the revelations, Pagano proudly showcases one of the archive’s prized possessions: the original 1530 letter denying King Henry VIII’s annulment request, a pivotal moment in the history of the Anglican Church. Pagano recounts how the document survived Napoleon’s pillaging, concealed within a secret drawer by a predecessor.
As Pagano bids farewell to his illustrious career, his revelations offer a rare glimpse into the Vatican’s hidden past, dispelling myths while inviting further scholarly inquiry into the annals of papal history.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
