Which pope was a speed demon? What is the pope's salary? Here is a non-sacred treasure trove of fascinating, surprising, and little-known tidbits about the Vatican and the popes, not only for the 700 million Catholics in the world but also for people of other faiths. Includes a time-line of significant dates in Church history, and a glossary of Vatican terms.
Written by a Vatican insider and accomplished church historian, this book is a unique behind-the-scenes look at the world's smallest nation and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Produced with the full cooperation of the Vatican, this is a beautifully illustrated insiders guide into the 2,000-year-long history of the Vatican and papal influence, daily life and governance of the world's largest religious body, and the art collections and other priceless treasures rarely seen by the public. In addition to a unique photographic tour, the book includes personal interviews with various Vatican employees and insiders who make their home there, from a Swiss Guard to a singer in the Sistine Chapel choir. This book is an unparalleled look into life inside the Holy City.
Think you really know Church History? Think Again The Catholic Church is the longest-standing and the most universal of all institutions. The contributions made by Catholic men and women over the past 2000 years are most impressive, from a properly functioning calendar to the inventions of many things that we all take for granted today. In 101 Surprising Facts About Church History, Fr. Meconi, SJ walks readers through the most amazing achievements of Christ's Body on earth. From economic and mercantile developments to scientific and astronomical advances, from the cataloging of zoological and botanical species to the cherishing of beautiful music and fine arts, Fr. Meconi shows you why the Catholic Church stands as the greatest promoter of human culture and knowledge. Did you know: -A Catholic priest held the first insights into the "BigBang" theory well before anyone else? -The first prototype of today's moving robots wasfound in a medieval monastery? -Many types of food and drink have their originswithin the Church, including cappuccino, sparklingwine, and pretzels -The Holy Bible was the first work of the GutenbergPress -The Church has patron saints for all sorts of things, including headaches, ugliness, fireworks, hangoversand television Fr. Meconi's 101 Surprising Facts About Church History takes you through 2,000 years of amazing achievements and contributions by the Church and her many sons and daughters. Beautifully illustrated and chronologically arranged, this work is a reliable guide through centuries of Church figures, facts, and fun.
A unique visual guide to life inside the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church, updated to include Pope Francis The Vatican explores Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state and the spiritual heart of one of the world's great religions with worldwide influence. Through the inside knowledge of Father Michael Collins, gain a privileged insight into the 2,000 year history, traditional ceremonies, priceless treasures and spectacular architecture of the Vatican. Find fascinating accounts of the day-to-day running of the state, illustrated by the stories of those who live or work in this extraordinary city within a city; from a priest and a chorister to a gardener. With specially commissioned photographs covering every aspect of life at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, The Vatican will take you right inside this extraordinary world.
The New York Times–bestselling inside look at one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious institutions For more than twenty-five years, John Thavis held one of the most remarkable journalistic assignments in the world: reporting on the inner workings of the Vatican. In The Vatican Diaries, Thavis reveals Vatican City as a place struggling to define itself in the face of internal and external threats, where Curia cardinals fight private wars and sexual abuse scandals threaten to undermine papal authority. Thavis (author of The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age) also takes readers through the politicking behind the election of Pope Francis and what we might expect from his papacy. The Vatican Diaries is a perceptive, compelling, and provocative account of this singular institution and will be of interest to anyone intrigued by the challenges faced by religion in an increasingly secularized world.
"Investigative stories behind the most controversial events in the Church's history, for example: the Knights Templar trial, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Galileo Galilei trial, and Pius XII's attitude towards the Holocaust"--
Did you know that the Vatican is a country--the smallest in the world? Find out the amazing history of the headquarters of the Catholic Church. It's time to elect a new pope. Hundreds of thousands of people gather in front of St. Peter's Basilica to learn who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. A white puff of smoke from a chimney signals the cardinals--the "princes" of the church--have elected one of their own who will continue to be the leader of the faith that has been around for more than two thousand years. Author Megan Stine charts the beginning of Christianity and its hold on members of the faith as well as the countless struggles for power (one pope was poisoned by his own men!), the building of the Vatican and creation of the Sistine Chapel, and the Secret Archives that hold papers the church has accumulated over the centuries.
The New York Times Bestseller - Revised and Expanded "[An] earth-shaking exposé of clerical corruption" - National Catholic Reporter The arrival of Frédéric Martel's In the Closet of the Vatican, published worldwide in eight languages, sent shockwaves through the religious and secular world. The book's revelations of clericalism, hypocrisy, cover-ups and widespread homosexuality in the highest echelons of the Vatican provoked questions that the most senior Vatican officials--and the Pope himself--were forced to act upon; it would go on to become a New York Times bestseller. Now, almost a year after the book's first publication, Frédéric Martel reflects in a new foreword on the effect the book has had and the events that have come to light since it was first released. In the Closet of the Vatican describes the double lives of priests--including the cardinals living with their young "assistants" in luxurious apartments whilst professing humility and chastity--the cover-up of numerous cases of sexual abuse; sinister scheming in the Vatican; political conspiracy overseas in Argentina and Chile, and the resignation of Benedict XVI. From his unique position as a respected journalist with uninhibited access to some of the Vatican's most influential people and private spaces, Martel presents a shattering account of a system rotten to its very core.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling World Almanac™ comes a full‑color, full‑of‑fun, oversize book packed with thousands of awesome facts about science, nature, and people—everything on planet Earth and beyond. Kids want to learn about the world around them, and with this engaging, colorful collection of facts, figures, photographs, and fun, they will. Perfect for home or for school, and a great gift for any curious reader, here are thousands of fascinating and surprising facts about almost everything: Animals—Dogs, cats, snakes, insects, spiders, sharks, and more Culture—Art, holidays, food, movies, and more Disasters—Earthquakes, shipwrecks, floods, storms, and more Geography—Oceans, mountains, continents, habitats, and more Geology—Volcanoes, tectonics, minerals, gems, and more Human Body and Medicine—Diseases, organs, senses, and other weird and wonderful human body facts. Record-setters—All about the biggest, smallest, fastest, tallest, and more Space—The moon, stars, planets, human spaceflight, and more Sports—Basketball, baseball, football, hockey, Olympic, and soccer superstars past and present, and more Technology—Computers, drones, inventions, and more The World Almanac™ 5,001 Incredible Facts for Kids on Nature, Science, and People provides kids, teachers, and families timely and timeless information on an enormous variety of subjects. It will give readers hours and hours of fun while it educates and illuminates.
