by Morris West
First published 1990
Pope Gregory XVII lies in his Vatican bed, his body failing him as surely as the world outside seems to be spinning toward chaos. For decades, he has held firm to traditional Catholic doctrine, refusing to bend with the winds of change. Now the Sword of Islam has marked him for death, their terrorist campaign targeting the very heart of the Church. As security tightens around the Holy See and assassination attempts loom, the pontiff finds himself questioning everything he has believed and defended. The threat to his life becomes a mirror, forcing him to examine whether his rigid conservatism has served God or merely his own certainties. With time running short and enemies closing in, Gregory must choose between the safe harbor of dogma and the dangerous waters of reform. The decision will determine not only his legacy but whether he can find peace with his God before death claims him.
Genres: christian-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, political-thriller, catholic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, religious-crisis
Setting: Vatican, Rome
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
481 pages · Paperback · G K Hall & Co
Content warnings: death, violence