Lives of The Popes- Reissue
The Pontiffs from St. Peter to Benedict XVI
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
This captivating history, updated to include the passing of John Paul II and the election of Benedict XVI, provides a complete portrait of the papacy. Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, Lives of the Popes tells the stories of the great variety of men who have occupied the throne of St. Peter over the course of nearly two thousand years: warriors and peacemakers, saints and scoundrels, politicians and pastors, and reformers and nepotists alike.
Lives of the Popes features fascinating profiles of all 263 Popes; essays on the papal election process and its future; timelines of papal, ecclesiastical, and secular persons and events; and ratings of all the Popes, from best to worst. Detailed, comprehensive, and highly accessible, Lives of the Popes captures the remarkable story of the papacy and how it transformed Christianity and the world.
Richard P. McBrien, bestselling author of Catholicism and general editor of the HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, is a leading TV, radio, and newspaper commentator on the Catholic Church. He is the Crowley-O’Brien-Walter Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.
“An invaluable reference guide brimming with solid historical data as well as pontifical fun facts.”–Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
McBrien, the dean of Roman Catholic church history who wrote the definitive history of the Roman Catholic church, Catholicism (HSF), here offers a comprehensive account of the lives of the popes. Not only does he provide a short, lively biographical essay on each pope, but he also provides fine essays on the future of the papacy, how popes are elected and how popes are removed from office. McBrien rates the popes, giving only John XXII (whose papacy lasted only five years, 1958-63) and Gregory the Great (590-604) the status of "Outstanding." The book also includes several tables: a chronological list of popes; a list of the longest and shortest pontificates; "Papal `Firsts' and `Lasts'" (e.g., the first pope to abdicate and the last non-cardinal to be elected pope); a list of key papal encyclicals. Offering readers complete, accurate information in a style that is both captivating and informative, McBrien's work is an exceptional study of the papacy.
