Life Pope Francis

Pope Francis heralds a new era for the Catholic Church, and all of the pomp and circumstance -- and hope -- is captured in this commemorative LIFE volume, that features all of the best photography from coronation day in Rome. In addition, LIFE's editors present a visual and anecdotal history of the Vatican and of the papacy itself, a narrative with triumphs and tragedies, saints and scoundrels. The same team that created the bestselling Pope John Paul II: a Tribute, and the recent Jesus: Who Do You Say that I Am? has now brings forth this lavishly illustrated and right-up-to-date volume on Francis, the Church in our day and the Church down the centuries, beginning with St. Peter. This is the complete story, in words and pictures.

LIFE Books managing editor, Robert Sullivan, has twice been awarded the Wilbur Award for best religion feature in a national magazine and has authored LIFE's New York Times bestselling biography of Pope John Paul II. He brings to this book his expertise on the subject of Christianity along with text informed by the world's great scholars, theologians and religious figures. The editors at LIFE vigorously carry on the traditions of excellence in photography, in journalism, and in telling the story of our country and our world which began with LIFE magazine in 1936 by founding editor and publisher, Henry R. Luce. They have published books on a broad range of subjects, including New York Times bestsellers Pope John Paul II, One Nation, LIFE Picture Puzzle and The American Journey of Barack Obama.