Congratulations, Your Holiness, and welcome to your first day at the Holy See. After being elected by the College of Cardinals, you'll need to don the papal vestments and get right to work. Armed with this manual, compiled over the last 2,000 years, you'll be able to navigate the Why's, How's, and Who's of your new life as Pontifex Maximus. What is your official job title? Why do you need to choose a papal name? Who does your laundry? While the church has long maintained an aura of complete secrecy to outsiders, the facts, figures, and historical anecdotes found here give the crucial information you'll need to fulfill your papal duties. Detailed diagrams reveal significant locations within the Vaticanwhere to buy gas, where to mail a letter, St. Martha's Housewhile helpful illustrations demonstrate how to perform the papal wave, the uniform of the Swiss Guards, and how to tell the difference between a mitre and a stole. All this plus a Latin primer, tips on greeting world leaders, and a list of job benefits makes for an indispensable guide to performing the role of Successor to the Prince of the Apostles.
| ||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Piers Marchant is a journalist and editor who has published travel guides with Fodor's and Not for Tourists. He lives in Philadelphia.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Right. Well, yes, I'm biased, but I found it a bloody good read -- many facts and details about Popes -- as well as perfectly sound advice for incoming popes, all written in pithy little nuggets of information. Learn about the VC and all of its peculiar charms, become acquainted with the daily duties and responsibilities of the office, find out (extremely) hard-to-find details about the Pope's day-to-day living. Who does his laundry? What does he eat for breakfast? Who makes the Popemobile? And what's the deal with exorcisms, anyway? I don't need to tell you this would make a perfect gift this holiday season do I? I do? Well, then, there you are. Enjoy!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a fun little book this is! I came across it by accident, read it from cover to cover in less than an hour, and couldn't have had a more enjoyable time.
The conceit of the book is that the reader has just been elected pope. What are the essentials that a new pope with no background would have to know about being pope and living in Vatican City? Mr. Marchant has gathered together the basics (clothes, buildings of the Vatican, staff, rituals, duties, travel, recreation and much more) and outlined them in a pleasant, easy-to-read fashion.
As a Catholic, I was particular pleased that the book is completely factual and unoffensive. Unless you are bothered by the idea of imaging yourself as pope, there is nothing here but history, geography and a light touch. Nothing to get angry about. So read it and enjoy!
The conceit of the book is that the reader has just been elected pope. What are the essentials that a new pope with no background would have to know about being pope and living in Vatican City? Mr. Marchant has gathered together the basics (clothes, buildings of the Vatican, staff, rituals, duties, travel, recreation and much more) and outlined them in a pleasant, easy-to-read fashion.
As a Catholic, I was particular pleased that the book is completely factual and unoffensive. Unless you are bothered by the idea of imaging yourself as pope, there is nothing here but history, geography and a light touch. Nothing to get angry about. So read it and enjoy!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By L. Worthan
Format:Paperback
When I saw the title of this book, I expected it to be a book that was attacking my Church while "trying" to be funny. I have to say my expectations were proven to be wrong. It is a great little book that answers questions about the everyday life of the leader of my Church that I didn't even know I had! I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and was humbled. Kudos to the author.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Came quickly in perfect condition
The book was a gift for a friend, he loved it and it was perfect, he loved the book very much
Published 1 month ago by Regan0912
5.0 out of 5 stars
He Couldn't Put it Down or Stop Talking About It
We're planning a trip to Rome and thought this would an interesting read before visiting the Vatican. Read more
Published on March 10, 2010 by Benedict Rocks
4.0 out of 5 stars
A respectful yet entertaining look at the inner workings of the Papacy...
Although I think the intent is comedy--and there a more than a few chuckles here--it is done in a format that sticks to the factual. Read more
Published on August 19, 2008 by B. Feinstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quite informative
Okay, unlike evidently every other reviewer... I am not Catholic (but am married to one), but I bought the book anyway because I've been preparing myself for everything. Read more
Published on August 24, 2007 by R. Howell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
I bought this book for my brother, and he read through it very quickly because he though it was so funny!
Published on November 3, 2006 by Betsy Seng
5.0 out of 5 stars
A humorous approach to informing the reader of everything to do with...
How To Be Pope: What To Do And Where To Go Once You're In The Vatican by Piers Marchant is a humorous approach to informing the reader of everything to do with being the Pope, and... Read more
Published on April 6, 2006 by Midwest Book Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
This was a great conversation piece with my Catholic friends. We...
Great fun, especially if you are Catholic. I enjoyed it.
Published on February 24, 2006 by Carol A. Allan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun, quick read
Being a Catholic who is highly sensitive to material that is offensive, this book passed with flying colors. Actually, anyone would enjoy reading it. Read more
Published on February 15, 2006 by Teresa Martin
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
- St. Mark by St Thomas Aquinas on page 66
- Pocket Catholic Dictionary by John Hardon in Back Matter
- The Incredible Book of Vatican Facts and Papal Curiosities: A Treasury of Trivia by Nino Lo Bello in Back Matter
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
