The Two Popes Paperback – 1 January 2000

The author is at pains to be fair, giving both Popes a equal share of his research and, in so doing, giving us two lives in technicolour.For someone who is interested in the backgrounds of Benedict and Francis this book is a ‘must’. But it is also provides an insight into the ways of the Vatican.Altogether a good and satisfying ‘read’.

Detailed insights into how the Roman Catholic Church works with both authoritarian and liberal camps. The internal politics are something else.Christian values or should I say all religious values do not seem to be well reflected. The book left by me with the feeling that both heads of the church were selfish in their personal agendas that led them to the papacy. They appear to ignore the historical behaviour of their Church and its popes .This just confirms why so many are leaving religion behind and are no longer willing to be indoctrinated. The author leaves a very good synopsis of religious texts not to be missed!

This is a double 'biopic' of the present and the immediate past Popes with the over-stressed question of whether each has infallibility. Papal infallibility is defined as the pope speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals. To me, ex cathedra means only the present incumbent has that facility. Neither Pope comes out of the discussion too well. The book is well-written and engaging. I can only assume the accuracy of the account.

The book gave great insight into how popes are elected, one sees that Cardinals are human like everyone else and subject to doubts and jealousy and even lack of faith at critical times only to have it restored later. It is not like the film "The Two Popes" which concentrates more on the relationship between the two popes.

If you thought that office politics were difficult don't apply for any vacancies for Pope. A serious and humbling exposition of balancing faith, world politics, genuine humility, and ingrained resistance to centuries of tradition. (Surely only God can be infallible? But man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, most ignorant of what he's most assured, his glassy essence like an angry *( but we are not permitted to conclude Shakespearean quotations any more! ))