Holy Father: Pope Benedict XVI: Pontiff for a New Era

by Greg Tobin

Looks at the life and childhood of the new bishop of Rome, discussing the history of the papacy and the conclave that elected the newest pope.

Genres: Biography, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

192 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2005

About the author

Greg Tobin is the author of several books on the Catholic Church. He was the editor of The Catholic Advocate, and during the April 2005 papal transition he appeared frequently on national radio and TV programs as an expert commentator on the popes and the papal election process. His books Selecting the Pope and Holy Father were widely used as authoritative resources on the subject and were quoted in the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, as well as the Associated Press. He lives in West Orange, NJ."

Reviews

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is at the present time a mad rush to publish new material about the new Holy Father, and the rush is bound to lead to mistakes and sloppy research and editing. That is unfortunately the case with this book by Greg Tobin. There are several historical mistakes to be found in this book along with some typographical errors and even one questionable doctrinal statement. It would have helped this book a great deal if the publisher had taken a little more time with it and had allowed the editors to do a better job.

This is not to say that this is a truly bad book however. There are several good things about this book, not the least of which is it's readability and length which allows the casual reader to gain at least some knowledge concerning our current Holy Father. I say some knowledge because while this book appears at first glance to be a biography, only about half of the text deals with the life of Benedict XVI. The first fifty or so pages deal with the history of the Papacy and do so in a very abbreviated manner. Still, it is a pretty good history that will give the reader a general overview of the Church's past. The next section of about seventy pages deals with the life of the Pontiff up until his election and does so in a credible although brief manner. Included is a very frank look at the activities of the Ratzinger family during WWII. The final section of the book deals with the problems that the Church and it's new leader will have to face over the next few years.

Although short, this book does touch on some important points and gives a clear analysis of what to expect from Benedict XVI. Tobin, much to his credit, points out that while the media in America has focused on the negative reaction of liberal American Catholics to this Pope's election, there are a sizable number of Catholics in the United Sates who are quite pleased with the new Pope. The author also makes some good observations concerning Cardinal Ratzinger's remarks just before the Conclave and the remarks of Pope Benedict just after his election.

I am quite sure that there will be better biographies of the Holy Father on the market in the near future, but I am also pretty sure there will also be some that are worse. If you are looking for a basic and short overview of Pope Benedict's life so far, this book would not be a bad choice. If, on the other hand you are looking for an in depth and error free biography, my advice is for you to wait just a little while longer. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a good biography written in a month.

[Susannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I seem silly looking for a less heady book considering how intelligent and intellectual HH is, especially considering his pre-papal Cardinal Ratzinger days, but I’m hoping one day to find that book that goes to the heart of his deeply spiritual love for God that’s more heart and not as much head.

[Dolores Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is an introduction to the new Pope Benedict XVI but I find it something extra. The first 50 pages or so follows the Popes from Peter up to the last Pope John Paul II. It is probably one of the best capsulated views of the Popes and claims of continuation of the Papacy. It shows the popes (good and bad) and how the office evolved into what it is today. It is not an indepth study but for only a short read (just the fist part of the book) it offers some real answers and insights into the heart of the controversy of the Papacy. It is well worth the few minutes to read whether you have a lot of knowledge about the Papacy or none at all. It talks about the split between east and west and why. I recomend this for anyone Catholic or not.

[Sam Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Tobin as always did a good job.