The latest edition of "the most comprehensive single-volume history of the popes," updated to cover the election of Pope Francis (Sunday Telegraph).

This engrossing book, from a professor of the history of Christianity at Cambridge, encompasses the extraordinary story of the papacy, from its beginnings to the present day, as empires rose and fell around it. This new edition covers the unprecedented resignation of Benedict XVI, and the historic election of the first Argentinian pope.

Praise for the earlier editions:

"Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life…Saints and Sinners is a remarkable achievement."—The Times (London)

"A distinguished text…offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments."—TheNew York Times Book Review

"Will fascinate anyone wishing to better understand the history of the Catholic Church and the forces that have shaped the role of the papacy."—Christian Century