1670 The Making of the Popes 1978 The Politics of Intrigue in the Vatican, by Andrew M. Greeley (read 11 Nov 1981) The early part of this book annoyed me greatly, as Greeley bemoans all involved with the Vatican and tells lies about things e.g., that Cesar Borgia controlled all but two votes in one conclave thru bribery and murder, and that in one conclave a large minority of cardinals were teenage nephews or sons of the late Pope) but his actual coverage of the 1978 elections and his words on both John Paul I and John Paul II were very moving. I was also impressed by his view of John Paul ! and I decided John Paul I was maybe good Pope material. I after he died thought maybe he was in over his head, but maybe he was OK. Very easy reading and except when he is sniping at his Church fun to read. ( )

Greeley, a liberal Catholic, imagined the election of Pope John Paul II was a victory for the liberals, which in the long run turned out to be wrong, though it may have been true in terms of who voted for him at the time. ( )