John Julius Norwich

a history of the papacy

Absolute monarchs

Dana Kraft

This is a political history of the papacy and doesn't talk much about theological issues. While the Church may be guided by the Holy Spirit, it has been run my men who were imperfect to say the least. The rogue's gallery of popes chronicled here only inspires confidence in that it seems like a miracle that the church has not disintegrated completely already. Interesting that the church has seemed to gain more moral authority as its temporal power has effectively ended. As others noted, this book drags a bit through the Middle Ages.

Absolute monarchs a history of the papacy

Reviews