Akron Public Library

"St. Peter's Square, Rome. White smoke signals that a new Pope has been chosen. Is it possible that the new Pope is a woman? The world is watching as historic crowds gather in Rome, waiting for news of a new Pope, one who promises to be unlike any other in the Church's history. Some followers are ecstatic, but the leading candidate has made a legion of powerful enemies. From a difficult childhood with drug addled parents, to a career as a doctor...

The Pope is dead. Behind locked doors of the Sistine chapel, 118 cardinals from around the world will cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. They are holy men, but they are men of the world, and they have rivals. And over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth.

The pope has dies, and the corridors of the Vatican hum with intrigue as cardinals from all over the world gather to choose his successor. Suddenly, the election is concluded--with a surprise result. The new pope is the youngest cardinal of all--and a Russian. This is the story of Kiril Lakota, a cardinal who reluctantly steps out from behind the Irobn Curtain to lead the Catholic Church and to grapple with the many issues facing the contemporary...

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER "A remarkable book. Weigel's biography is likely to remain the standard one-volume reference on John Paul II for many years to come." - Pittsburg Post-Gazette ?"Fascinating. . . sheds light on the history of the twentieth century for everyone." -New York Times Book Review The definitive biography of Pope John Paul II that explores how influential he was on the world stage and in some of the most historic events of the...

Early on the evening of March 13, 2013, the newly elected Pope Francis stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peters Basilica and did something remarkable: Before he imparted his blessing to the crowd, he asked the crowd to bless him, then bowed low to receive this grace. In the days that followed, Mark K. Shriver-along with the rest of the world-was astonished to see a pope who paid his own hotel bill, eschewed limousines, and made his home in a suite...

A biography on Pope Francis and his role in the Catholic Church.

Karol Wojtyla was born in a small Polish town and in October, 1978 he became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

Born in 9th-century Frankland, Joan demonstrates her brilliance early but must hide her learning from her missionary father, who considers the education of women sacrilegious and dangerous. Tutored first by her older brother and then a Greek scholar, Joan eventually secures a place at the schola in Dorstadt. To protect herself after a Viking raid, Joan dons her dead brother's clothing and assumes a man's identity. Suddenly the intelligence that once...

"The final volume in Morris West's Vatican trilogy." As Pope Leo's private struggle unfolds, the terrorists move in for the kill. Leo and those close to him are swept up into a fierce international conflict.

Draws on extensive interviews and years of study to trace the story of Jorge Mario Bergoglio while sharing insights into how he will use papal influence to bridge challenging intersections between faith and politics.