I am not sure why this book caught my attention when browsing the public library (online). I have had very little contact with the Catholic Church having lived in secular households in largely Protestant countries (Scotland and Wales). I did once attend mass with a Roman Catholic girlfriend I was trying to impress, but this was the limit of my knowledge of that church. However, I am glad I did opt to read this book as it is a fascinating story about the recent leaders of a faith followed by over a billion people.
The book is the intertwined biographies of Pope Benedict the 16th (Joseph Ratzinger) and Pope Francis (Jorge Borgolgio) who in the media tend to be viewed as quite different characters with the former portrayed as a right-wing authoritarian and the latter as a left-wing progressive reformer. Although there is a degree of truth in this characterisation it is rather overstated. There are many similarities in the lives and thoughts of the two men; both grew up under tyrannical regimes and had to navigate their lives through times of repression and adversity. The media has been particularly unfair in its treatment of Pope Benedict and I found this book a useful corrective to my sloppy acceptance of his portrayal as “God’s Rottweiler” or the “Panzer Cardinal”.
Both are clearly men of strong faith and, at heart, of traditional Christian beliefs and both men have sinned in the past and many of their pronouncements are best understood though the knowledge of their failing. Again it is clear that Pope Francis’s failings have been treated a great deal more leniently than other incumbents might have received. In addition to the biographies there is also a discussion of aspects of Roman Catholicism and its history, as well as aspects of theology (Such as the difficulty of ideas such as papal infallibility when two Popes coexist).
The writing style is lucid, easy and engaging. I found I was looking forward to my next break so I could resume the story. Anyone, whether religious or not, will find this an interesting read and if, like me, they have pre-formed views on the main characters they may be pleased to have a much more accurate, more rounded, view of them when they finish the book which leaves one more kindly disposed to both of them.
Looking back in sadness 