This text recounts the lives, deeds and misdeeds of the 264 popes from St Peter to John Paul II. The dichotomy between the awesome dignity of the holy office and the all-too-human passions and pleasures of some of the individuals who have occupied it characterizes the narrative throughout. It provides an historical overview, showing how ultimately the Papacy has moved in a circle - from self-consciously spiritual office, through embroilment in political power and back to self-conciously spritual office again. Features of the book include: quotations from contemporary sources; datafiles for every pope listing important information such as career and family relationships; lists of main events and essays on subjects such as the excavation of St Peter's tomb; and tables of Feast Days of all the canonized Popes.