This behind-the-scenes perspective offers a unique opportunity to experience Pope John Paul II's character and reign, as well as a look at the inner workings of the Vatican.-- Publisher

There was no neutral response to the announcement that the "enforcer"-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger-had been elected Benedict XVI, the next pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Conservatives saw it as the final triumph of their agenda. Liberals were aghast. Everyone else wondered what to expect. Award-winning religion journalist David Gibson explores the "war of ideas" that will be a defining feature of this new papacy. Gibson persuasively argues that by...

"Por primera vez, el papa Francisco cuenta la historia de su vida, revisitada a través de los acontecimientos que han marcado a la humanidad en los últimos ochenta años, desde el estallido de la Segunda Guerra Mundial en 1939, cuando el futuro era un niño, hasta nuestros días."--Publisher's description. For the first time, Pope Francis tells the story of his life, revisited through the events that have marked humanity in the last eighty years,...

Early on the evening of March 13, 2013, the newly elected Pope Francis stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and did something remarkable: Before he imparted his blessing to the crowd, he asked the crowd to bless him, then bowed low to receive this grace. In the days that followed, Mark K. Shriver—along with the rest of the world—was astonished to see a pope who paid his own hotel bill, eschewed limousines, and made his home in...

Jorge Bergoglio era un típico chico de Buenos Aires, Argentina, que jugaba picaditos de fútbol y escuchaba música alegre en las calles de su ciudad. Su abuela Rosa le enseñó la importancia de hacer el bien e inspiró su pasión por ayudar a otros. Esta pasión y años de esfuerzo lo llevaron a convertirse en un sacerdote jesuita, en un obispo y, luego, en un cardenal. Y ahora el mundo conoce a Jorge con un nombre diferente: papa Francisco. Como...

"Desde el primer momento como Papa electo, u obispo de Roma, apelativo que el mismo prefiere, el hasta hace poco cardenal Jorge Mario Bergoglio dio senales claras él mundo de los cambios que traerá su pontificado. La misma elección del nombre de Francisco nos indica su prioridad por ser como Francisco de Asís, el santo que vivió en la pobreza y que consagró su vida a los más desamparados. Su manera directa y espontanea de romper el protocolo...

Even as "historians are increasingly giving Reagan and John Paul II due credit for their roles in ending the Cold War, Kengor reveals the depth and significance of the bond between the president and the pope. New details based on the author's unique access to Reagan insiders and his ... archival research are provided. The role of the Marian apparition at Fatima on May 13, 1917, is explored as key to understanding both the bond between JP II and Reagan...

For the first time, Pope Francis tells the story of his life as he looks back on the momentous world events that have changed history--from his earliest years during the outbreak of World War II in 1939 to the turmoil of today.-- Publisher description.