The New Pope: How the Catholic Church Chose its New Leader

by Paul Hofmann

The death of John Paul II was a grand historic tableau, as members of the pontifical household and devout Catholics across the world mourned the loss of the most beloved pope in memory. With the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Catholic Church has turned a historic corner—into the reign of the first new pope of the twenty-first century.Years in the making, The New Pope is the riveting account by the ultimate Vatican insider--an acclaimed journalist who has covered the Vatican since 1945, lived in Rome for decades, and whose contacts include cardinals, papal ambassadors, and churchmen on every continent and within the Holy SeeThe New Pope * Benedict Vital biographical information and defining theological positions* The The ceremony, rituals, politics, and prayer that will chose the new pope* John Paul Remembering a beloved pope and defining his place in history* The Future of the In what direction will the new pope lead?With vivid first-hand analysis, The New Pope covers the last few weeks of John Paul's pontificate and his death, as well as the involved and "divinely inspired" election of a new reactions of the faithful, conclave preparations, election politics, internal machinations, reaction to the new pope, information on the new pope, and looking forward into the new papal reign.This fascinating exploration is poised to shed light on the dark and involved process of the conclave, while forecasting the direction of the church through the new pope.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2004

About the author

Paul Hofmann was an author, journalist, linguist, and political activist. The New York Times, for whom he was a foreign correspondent, described him as fluent in German, Italian, French, and English, having a command of several other languages that was more than passable, as well as "a broad grasp of history and diplomatic affairs and an often playful curiosity."