Next Pope, the - Revised & Updated: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at How the Successor to John Paul II Will Be Elected and Where He Will Lead the Church - Softcover

Hebblethwait, Peter; Hebblethwait, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060637773 ISBN 13: 9780060637774

Publisher: HarperOne, 2000

Synopsis

Who will be the next pope? With the waning health of John Paul II, that question is being hotly debated around the world. The answer has profound implications not only for the future direction of Catholicism, but also for the course of world politics and culture. This timely guide, completely revised and updated, offers an inside look at the top contenders, whose remarkable diversity--with several African, Asian, European, and North American cardinals, two Jesuits, a Jewish convert, and several Italians leading the list--reflects how dramatically the Church has changed in the past forty years.

The authors, who have closely observed some of the Church's key leaders, provide a compelling, behind-the-scenes look at the dramatic process of electing a pope. They evaluate the political maneuvering, examine the issues sure to influence the next conclave's decision (including the need for a skilled diplomat and a return to choosing an Italian, the ordination of women, and the question of married priests), and project the most likely successors to John Paul II. After demystifying this fascinating yet notoriously secretive process, the Hebblethwaites use their expertise to identify the basic options--to pursue a moderate or a conservative course--that will face the conclave.

About this title

Review:

On the day of her husband's funeral in December 1994 Margaret Hebblethwaite received the advance copies of his final book The Next Pope. In the book, Peter Hebblethwaite made both an astringent critique of John Paul II's papacy and an attempt to see who might step into his shoes.

Since 1995 the first list of contenders has aged, and a group of younger cardinals has moved into the line-up. Margaret Hebblethwaite, until recently the assistant editor of the The Tablet, has updated and revised her husband's book. She takes the readers through the ancient ceremonies which accompany the death of a pope and discusses John Paul's new rules for the conclave which will elect his successor. In an expanded second section Hebblethwaite takes us through the list of the one hundred or so cardinals from all corners of the globe who could occupy the throne of St Peter. Hebblethwaite is a liberal Catholic, and sometimes her politically correct preferences colour her comment too much, but she's done her homework, and the result is a book where solid research is presented in a punchy and readable journalistic style. --Dwight Longenecker

About the Author:

Peter Hebblethwaite was a widely respected commentator and journa list who covered trends and events in the Catholic Church.

Margaret Hebblethwaite is the assistant editor of theBritish journal The Tablet.

Peter Hebblethwaite was a widely respected commentator and journa list who covered trends and events in the Catholic Church.

Margaret Hebblethwaite is the assistant editor of theBritish journal The Tablet.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0060637773
• ISBN 13: 9780060637774
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208