The illustrated history of the popes : an authoritative guide to the lives and works of the popes of the Catholic Church

For 2,000 years the pope has been the acknowledged head of the Roman Catholic Church.

As the direct successor of St Peter, he holds a unique position, ruling over millions of Catholics worldwide.

This comprehensive guide to the 266 men who have been pope provides a timeline of the history of the papacy, and details each pope's life, influence and the way they have shaped the church.

Divided into three historical sections in chronological order - the First Popes; the Crusades and the Reformation; and Into the Modern Era - this lavishly illustrated reference book will fascinate and inform anyone interested in the history of Catholicism.