He decomposed because the embalmer, Dr. Galeazzi-Lisi, encased Pius in a cellophane bag with herbs and spices in some sort of experimental treatment. It sped up the decay of the body, instead of retarding it. John XXIII expelled him from the Vatican for life.
So the author had what source that the decomposition of the Pope was a sign of God's displeasure? Does this show how this source can only be considered a hachet job?
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Good question. It does seem to indicate some kind of emotional investment in the issue.
Cornwell washed out of seminary (I have no idea why) and appears to still be treasuring a grudge against the Church on that account.
He has written quite a number of frankly anti-Catholic books, and his latest is a book trashing Pope John Paul II.
That will no doubt make him even more popular among the anti-Catholic crowd.