"In this volume, former Vatican insider John-Peter Pham takes us where outsiders have never gone before, providing vital background to the selection of the heir of the fisherman." "Here is a highly accurate portrait of the modern Vatican - indeed, the only account to reveal the striking changes to papal succession procedures made by Pope John Paul II. Blending political and ecclesiastical history, Pham goes beyond a mere description of the complex rituals - including a rare insight into the dramatic shifts inside the College of Cardinals, whose 130 members now hail from 57 nations around the globe." "Pham also provides a valuable one-by-one assessment of the present-day cardinals and possible candidates (papabili, or pope-ables) to succeed John Paul II. He explores the legacy of this highly influential pope - looking beyond his papacy to discuss the highly charged issues that his successor will have to confront, including financial and sexual scandals, the roles of priests and women, and the very future of the church itself." "And throughout the book, he provides information that makes this book an indispensable reference, including appendices that contain biographical notes on many of the key personalities of Catholicism past and present as well a a useful glossary of Catholic history and theology."--Jacket.
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