While looking through all the books that Harris has written about Italy and Rome, I came across this book about the Vatican and the process for choosing a new Pope. I was intrigued because it was set not in the past but in a not so distant future.  Many years ago I read the classic book about choosing a Pope- The Shoes of the Fisherman by Morris West, which was published over 40 years ago, and found it fascinating. (If you have not read it, I would definitely encourage you to do so!) What was interesting, is that Harris repeats some of the themes from West’s book- the unpredictability of the process of choosing a Pope, the greed and the political machinations that exist in what is supposed to be a Holy Church, and the individuals who work to protect the Church from those who might want to lead it astray, while adding some new context to them.

While there are similarities between these two books there are also unique and intriguing differences. Harris highlights the current divisions within the Catholic Church between the liberal West and the more conservative African and Latin congregations, the resentment between former colonies and those who colonized them, and the differences between the wealth of the northern hemisphere and the poverty of the southern hemisphere. The Church is divided along many different lines which all impact the choice of a Pope.

When the Pope dies and Cardinal Lomeli, is put in charge of calling together the cardinals from all over the world to hold the conclave, all of these divisions and tensions come to the surface. Lomeli must deal with ambition, financial corruption, sex scandals and even  terrorism before the final vote is cast and a Pope is selected. The twists and turns of the the plot and the unique ending keep you on your toes until the very last page. Cardinal Lomeli as our guide through this process, is an intriguing character.  Although ambitious, he is is deeply committed to the Church, and wants this conclave to be free of politics and factionalism. But as soon as he resolves one issue another arises.

In the midst of the chaos, Lomeli struggles with his own faith, in God and in the Church and in the process of selecting a Pope. At one point he muses out loud: “If there was only certainty, and if there was not doubt, there would be no mystery, and therefore no need for faith.” which was seen as a scandalous statement by some, and a heartfelt and honest expression of faith by others. In the end Lomeli shepherds the conclave and a new Pope is selected but the reader is left wondering whether Lomeli himself feels like the right person was ultimately chosen.

This is now a movie and I have heard some great things about it so if you don’t want to read it then the movie might be great option for you!

Brenda’s Rating: ***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Marian, Lauren, Ken and Keith.

Book Study Worthy? Yes!

Read in ebook format.