CHRONICLE OF THE POPES

Contents include: . Biographical accounts of all the 266 popes, from St Peter toBenedict XVI, giving a history of these fascinating individuals - fromsaintly pastors to great statesmen and patrons of the arts . Full coverage of the Crusader, Avignon and Borgia popes, as well asthe 39 antipopes (rival popes) . Timelines throughout with at-a-glance visual guides to the lengthand important events of each pope's reign . Datafiles for every pope listing key information, such as name atbirth, early career and family relationships . Extensive quotations from contemporary sources that enrich thenarrative . Numerous sidebars and special features ranging from the excavationof St Peter's tomb to the Catholic rejuvenation of the Counter-Reformation . 317 illustrations, 112 in colour, including portraits and busts ofthe popes, art treasures from the Vatican and detailed maps