Selecting the Pope: Uncovering the Mysteries of Papal Elections by Greg Tobin, Robert J. Wister (Foreword by)

From Barnes & Noble

The author of two religious novels centered on the Vatican (Conclave and Council), Catholic scholar Greg Tobin explains the complex history of papal elections in this lively and informative book. He illuminates details, examining the evolution of the balloting system and describing the changes John Paul II brought to the process of choosing his own successor. Finally, he analyzes potential successors and discusses what effect they would have on the Catholic Church.

From the Publisher

The selection of the next pope is the most important decision affecting Roman Catholics in over twenty-five years. Award-winning author Greg Tobin offers the perfect guide to understanding the process, history, and present-day issues impacting that decision.

Selecting the Pope examines each rule of the election process—and explores the rich history behind the conclave and the key issues that will shape the future of the Catholic Church.

You'll discover:

• Why the election always concludes with the rising of white smoke
• What powers the cardinals hold during the vacancy of the Holy See
• Pope John Paul II's startling changes to the centuries-old election process
• A day-by-day account of the balloting inside the Sistine Chapel
• How the electors should behave during the conclave—even their "dress code"
• Ancient rituals for confirming a pope's death—including striking him with a hammer!
• A look at the list of probable successors to John Paul II

Publishers Weekly

As Pope John Paul II celebrates his Silver Jubilee this year (making his tenure the third longest in papal history), his apparently failing health has been a concern to many. Speculation abounds about who will succeed him, and when. In Selecting the Pope: Uncovering the Mysteries of Papal Elections, Greg Tobin describes the labyrinthine process of choosing a successor, and even gives some odds for various contenders. The book's second half outlines the complex rules for a papal election and some of the challenges that will face the new pope. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

These two books offer some educated guesses about the next pope but are valuable mainly for their intriguing details regarding past popes and their accounts of the procedure used to select a pope, from the often raucous means used prior to the 13th century, to the conclave election by cardinals of the Church used since 1274, to the significant modifications legislated by the present pope. Though similar in scope, the books differ significantly. Tobin's is short on history and long on lists and documents; its strongest feature is the inclusion of the new statutes for papal elections and the list of cardinal-electors who might be in conclave within the year. Walsh's book is long on history and short on lists and documents; a unique feature is its detailing of the rise and demise of the "capitulations" through which a papal candidate would promise his fellow cardinals to abide by the common wisdom of their old-boy network. Recommended for seminary and academic libraries and for community libraries with strong religion circulation.-David I. Fulton, Coll. of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

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Table of Contents