Abstract

This essay reviews the recent literature on Vatican II published during the period between 2013 and 2016. The first part of the review focuses on the 'Francis effect' on the theological and historical debate on the council, while the second part analyzes the impact of the fiftieth anniversary of the council (2012-2015) on the studies and reception of Vatican II. The third and most substantial part of the essay reviews the latest contribution to the research in terms of archival research, studies on key figures on Vatican II, and on theological themes and final documents approved by Vatican II. The conclusion of the essay advances some hypotheses for the future path of the research on Vatican II.