The Papacy

Surviving wars, political intrigue, and the rise and fall of empires, the Holy See of Rome has held sway for nearly two thousand years, often wielding a power to shame the mightiest monarch. In this book, nine eminent historians review two millennia of papal history from the days of St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome, to the current reign of John Paul II, the first non-Italian Pope in over 200 years, covering the reigns of such colorful "Greats" as Leo (who persuaded Attila to spare Rome) and Gregory (whose papacy extended to the temporal as well as the spiritual governance of the city). Exploring such topics as the relationship between the Vatican and the Holy Roman Empire, the Great Schism, the papal states, the rebuilding of St. Peter's, and more, this balanced study illuminates the achievements of the papacy. 10" x 11 1/2".