On April 19, 2005, a new pope was presented to the world. As the crowds cheered, the questions were already forming. Who was Benedict XVI? What were his priorities? Where would he lead the Church? Many felt they knew him already. For over two decades, he was the Vatican’s "enforcer," the man responsible for maintaining Church doctrine. The words "conservative" and "hardline" were used in most media dispatches. Many welcomed his election, feeling that he would continue the legacy of John Paul II. Others feared that, under his leadership, the Church would not move forward to engage with a changing world. In this lively new biography, Greg Watts offers an engaging portrait of the new pope, looking at his background, beliefs, priorities, and leadership style, and the direction in which he might lead the Church.

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A short, accessible introduction to the new Pope.