Synopses & Reviews
Newly Revised and Updated
A top religion journalist presents a behind-the-scenes look at the early years of Pope Benedict XVI and what his papacy means for the future.
Review
“Mr. Gibson has given us one of the best books on the church in many years.” National Catholic Reporter
Synopsis
There was no neutral response to the announcement that the "enforcer," a.k.a. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had been elected Benedict XVI, the next pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Conservatives saw it as the final triumph of their agenda. Liberals were aghast. Everyone else wondered what to expect.
In The Rule of Benedict, award-winning religion journalist David Gibson argues that by tackling the modern world head-on Benedict XVI is gambling that he can make traditional, orthodox Catholicism the savior of contemporary society. But if the elderly Benedict fails in his battle with modernity, what will happen to one of the world's largest religions? Gibson shows how the key decisions of this surprising papacy will profoundly impact the future of Catholicism.
David Gibson is an award-winning religion writer and a committed lay Catholic. He writes frequently about Catholicism for various newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Boston Magazine, New York Observer, Commonweal, and America, and was the religion writer at the Newark Star-Ledger. Gibson worked in Rome and traveled with the Pope for Vatican Radio in the late 1980's, and has recently co-written and co-produced two television documentaries on the Catholic Church for CNN. He lives in New York City.
"Gibson's ability to provide in-depth background about church history, theology and hierarchy is of great value to lay readers. An important reference for anyone with an interest in the modern papacy."
- Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
David Gibson is an award-winning religion writer and a committed lay Catholic. He writes about Catholicism for various newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Boston magazine, Fortune, Commonweal, and America. He was the religion writer for the The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. Gibson has worked in Rome for Vatican Radio and traveled frequently with Pope John Paul II. He has co-written several recent documentaries on Christianity for CNN.