The book investigates the complex and often fraught relationship between the Vatican and National Socialism during World War II. Hubert Wolf, drawing on newly accessible Vatican archives, meticulously details the internal deliberations and external actions of key figures within the Catholic Church, including popes, cardinals, and bishops. The work illuminates their perception of a historical battle against a perceived existential evil, exploring the theological and political justifications that shaped their responses to the rise of Nazism and its atrocities.

Hubert Wolf's "Pope and Devil" offers a detailed examination of the Vatican's engagement with National Socialism, utilizing newly available archival materials to shed light on the complex dynamics at play. The book is recognized for its in-depth research and its focus on the internal perspectives of Church leadership during a critical historical period. It provides a scholarly account of how religious and political ideologies intersected, offering a nuanced view of the Church's stance amidst the rise of Nazism. The work is considered a significant contribution to the historical understanding of this sensitive subject.