THIS IS A SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION OF AN ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT CONSISTING OF RAW MATERIALS AND THE ACTUAL BUILDING BLOCKS THAT REVEAL "THE MYSTERY OF THE MAKING OF THE POPES." The book has undergone extensive development and this latest update may be considered as an "Unabridged Version" and "A Non-fiction Classic." It awaits additional editing and approval of related materials, prior to the official publication of a future edition. The following is a SYNOPSIS of The Mystery of The Making of The Popes that discloses how a former police officer solves his biggest case, not the case of an ordinary mystery, but of a spiritual mystery, and reveals the amazing role that an ordinary layman plays in the stunning elections of two extraordinary popes, John Paul I and Saint John Paul II. Popes come and go, but the Holy Spirit remains and is the constant key player in the sacred conclaves of the Roman Catholic Church. Seldom before has a chronicle ever encompassed the elusive role of the mystical Spirit as described in this book. The abiding presence of the third person of the Trinity is well demonstrated by revealing the details of this hitherto untold and mystifying story of the surprising elections of two pontiffs. How these popes rose to the throne of Saint Peter serves as a classic portrayal of the movement of the Holy Spirit, the unpredictable factor in every sacred conclave. This charismatic work reaches beyond religious denominations and shows how the Spirit uses the power of God's love to sustain a father's epic struggle to regain his lost son, and how such love miraculously transforms the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church. The story takes the reader on a Psychological Adventure and a Spiritual Journey in life from humble beginnings to heavenly heights -- from the center of North America to the center of Christendom and to the heart of the Vatican. A shroud of mystery and great secrecy surround the elections of the popes of the Catholic Church, but the veil is lifted in this true story that culminates in the startling elections of one pope, and then another. The book describes how God uses this former police officer to bring about a stunning and revolutionary change in the Roman Catholic Church's long-standing tradition of electing Italian popes. It shows how the Church was re-directed on a new path for the future. It is an inspiring testament to the power and influence of the Spirit working in a person's life to bring about an important historical change. But this outcome does not happen without sacrifice and strife. The heart-felt plight of this devoted father intensifies after a family breakdown. The tensions increase when the opinions of an agnostic child psychiatrist clash in a crucial debate over the startling allegation of unusual spiritual involvement in the birth of his son (whose birth eventually leads to the elections of the popes) and this allegation becomes a shattering bone of contention. The dangerous presumptions and smug conclusions of the pseudo-science of psychiatry are exposed, but not before severing and crucifying the bond of love between a father and a son. In the ensuing quest to regain his lost son, he encounters "spiritual warfare" and lays bare the inner workings of a prominent cult. Miraculously, the searing struggle forms the bridge to the Vatican and the surprising elections of "The Unknown Pope" John Paul I, and his saintly successor, the great Pope John Paul II. THE MYSTERY OF THE MAKING OF THE POPES is a unique book of spiritual intrigue and of wide interest -- not only to various denominational and priestly professions, but also to medical and legal experts -- and to anyone who has ever had, or would venture to have, a personal and meaningful experience of faithful and sacrificial love.

Chronicles the death of two popes and the election of their successors in the space of only two months. -- Dust jacket.

Filled with discoveries, this is the dramatic story of Pope Pius XII's struggle to response to the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Nazi domination of Europe.The Pope at War is the third in a trilogy of books about Pope Pius XII's response to the rise of Fascism and Nazism. It tells the dramatic story of Pope Pius XII's struggle to respond to the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the ongoing Nazi attempts to exterminate the Jews of Europe. It is the first book dealing with the war to make extensive use of the newly opened Vatican archives for the war years. It is based, as well, on thousands of documents from the Italian, German,French, British, and American archives. Among the many new discoveries brought to light is the discovery that within weeks of becoming pope in 1939, Pius XII entered into secret negotiations with Hitler through Hitler's emissary, a Nazi Prince who was married to the daughter of the King of Italy and who was veryclose to Hitler. The negotiations were kept so secret that not even the German ambassador to the Holy See was informed of them. The book also offers new insight into the thinking behind Pius XII's decision to maintain good relations with the German government during the war, including keeping the Germans happy while they occupied Rome in 1943-1944. And throughout, David I. Kertzer shows the active role of the Italian Church hierarchy in promoting the Axis war while the pope, who as bishop ofRome was responsible for the Italian hierarchy, offered his silent blessings and cast his public speeches in such a way that both sides could claim support for their cause.

Father Andrew Greeley recounts the dramatic unfolding of the centuries-old conclave of cardinals in this firstshand account of the papal election of 2005. 16-page insert.

After twenty-six years under the leadership of the charismatic, socially conservative John Paul II, the future of a Church which is increasingly at odds with a secular modern world hung in the balance as cardinals from all over the globe gathered to vote for the new pontiff. On Tuesday 19th April 2005, after three rounds of voting, the conclave finally elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, seen as the most traditionalist candidate, to become Pope Benedict XVI, the 256th head of the Catholic Church. Father Andrew M. Greeley is uniquely placed to give a fascinating insight into the politics, coalitions and rumour-swapping that lead up to the election of the new Pope as well as its long-term implications for the Catholic Church. He is a priest with inside access to the Vatican and also a seasoned journalist and sociologist who has been a leading voice in the catholic community for decades.