The Oxford Dictionary of Popes (Oxford Paperback Reference)

This acclaimed papal Who's Who presents biographical accounts in chronological order of all the officially recognized popes from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI, with a new and expanded entry on Pope John Paul II. Providing a continuous history of the papacy, it also includes their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called 'anti-popes,' and an appendix discussing the legendary existence of a female pope, named Joan. Each papal and anti-papal entry covers family, social background, and pre-papal careers, as well as activities in office, and is arranged chronologically. The Dictionary ofPopes presents a continuous history of the almost 2,000 year existence of the papacy, revealing how, for much of that history, spiritual and temporal power have ben inextricably mingled in the person of the pope.