First published 2011
John Julius Norwich examines nearly two thousand years of papal history, from the earliest bishops of Rome to Benedict XVI. The historian draws on his personal encounters with four popes to tell the stories of the men who wielded infallible authority over millions. Norwich covers heroic figures like Innocent I, who successfully negotiated with Alaric the Goth when civil authorities failed, and Leo I, who confronted Attila the Hun decades later. He also explores the scandalous episodes, including the mythical Pope Joan allegedly elected in 855 and the notorious "pornocracy" of five libertine popes connected to Marozia, daughter of a powerful Roman family. The book highlights reformers such as Paul III, whom Norwich calls the greatest sixteenth century pontiff for reinterpreting Church teaching, and John XXIII, who opened the Church to modernity and initiated Vatican II reforms starting in 1958. Norwich brings his chronicle to contemporary times with Benedict XVI's handling of the global priest sex scandal. The book reveals how these figures shaped not only the Vatican but influenced politics, culture, and society across the world.
Genres: biography, history, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: historical
Setting: Rome, Vatican
Period: 16th Century, 20th Century, 21st Century, Ancient, Medieval
528 pages · Kindle Edition · Random House