Benedict Williamson's The Story of Pope Pius XI is a biography detailing the life and papacy of Pope Pius XI (Achille Ratti). It covers Achille Ratti's early life as a librarian and accomplished mountaineer, before his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland and his elevation to the Cardinalate. The events of the February 1922 papal conclave that led to his election as Pope Pius XI, and his decision to restore the traditional Urbi et Orbi public blessing. The Pope's diplomatic efforts to end the long-standing feud between the Holy See and the Italian government, culminating in the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, which established Vatican City as an independent sovereign state. Pope Pius XI's role as the first Pope to make extensive use of modern communications technology, including establishing Vatican Radio in 1931. Overall, this book provides a historical account of a Pope who led the Catholic Church through a turbulent period in the early 20th century, highlighting his diplomatic role, social teachings, and responses to the prevailing political ideologies of the time.