9 - Anatomy of a Pontiff

Pope Pius XII is dead. His longtime physician, Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, remains at his side, carrying out his final duty. But above all looms Cardinal Eugène Tisserant — the iron-fisted Dean of the College of Cardinals — determined to dismantle Pacelli’s inner circle. Sister Pasqualina, the Pope’s housekeeper and right hand, is forced out. And Riccardo makes a desperate gamble: an experimental embalming with the mysterious Dr. Oreste Nuzzi — an “aromatization” tinged with the occult, promising miracles. Under the glare of the foreign press, Galeazzi-Lisi insists he has preserved the Pope as Christ was prepared for burial, with oils and resins. But the body of Pius XII is beginning to tell another story…Discover more at RiccardoPodcast.com — where, starting September 17, 2025, you’ll find documents, research, and exclusive insights expanding on the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.