God's New Man
The Election of Benedict XVI and the Legacy of John Paul II
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Paperback / softback
£7.99
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9780826482747
Number of Pages: 256
Width: 13.8 cm
Height: 21.6 cm
The dramatic events leading up to the appearance of white smoke over the Vatican and the public declaration from the balcony of St Peters - Habemus Papam - has been the most remarkable yet in the election of any Pontiff. The demise of Pope John Paul II was anticipated ever since he was rushed to Gemelli hospital on February 1st. Now he has died the legacy of this outstanding Pontiff is already the matter of fierce debate. A number of his closest advisers like Cardinals Ratzinger and Sodano are already fairly powerless as the Conclave has chosen a Pontiff more interested in the North South axis than that of East West. The final part of this important new book is an in-depth profile of the new Pope, His Holines Pope XXX. The middle part of the book is an account of the Conclave, the politicing and the jockeying for position. But it also contains character sketches of those who have been serious contenders for the See of Peter - Cardinal Walter Kasper, Cardinal Tettramanga of Florence, Cardinal Christoph von Schonborn of Vienna, Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria, Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo and Cardinal Rodriguez Madariaga of Honduras.
There is also a sketch of some of the complete outsiders. Nobody could be more suited that Paul Collins to write this incisive and informative account. He has already published books on the History of the Papacy.
"'Really interesting... (a) meticulously well-researched book.' Yorkshire Post '...A balanced picture...well worth reading as guide to the state of the Roman Catholic Church at the start of a new pontificate.' Church of England Newspaper '...Paul Collin's final assessment of the new Pope, too long to quote here, strikes me as balanced, insightful, and exactly right. Even moderate admiters of the late John Paul II, however, should probably steer clear.' Times Literary Supplement '...recommended unreservedly' The Irish Times"