Rating: 
Summary: Extremely informative. . .
Review: . . .but marred in places by the author's political viewpoint."Conclave" is a well-written and informative book about exactly "how" the Catholic Church will go about selecting the new Pope upon the passing of Pope John Paul II. The author, a Rome-based journalist, has already been selected by Fox News as their correspondent and "expert" when the time comes. Especially helpful is the "step-by-step" description of what happens in the Vatican from the moment the Pope dies straight through his Coronation Mass. Also helpful is the information concerning the various "political parties" within the College of Cardinals and useful biographies of those Cardinals whom the author sees as papabile (those for whom election is possible). Less helpful, and indeed off-putting, was the author's obvious bias toward the left wing of the Catholic hierarchy. This is seen, not only in his direct comments, but also in his subtle ridicule of conservative Cardinals. This ridicule is usually effected by the relating of "humorous" anecdotes which serve to make conservative Cardinals look silly. The more a Cardinal is portrayed as a moderate or liberal, the less likely the ridicule. Other than this bit of childishness, the book is a valuable tool. But the conservative or traditionalist reader will have (many) moments of (great) annoyance. Three stars.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely informative. . .
Review: . . .but marred in places by the author's political viewpoint. "Conclave" is a well-written and informative book about exactly "how" the Catholic Church will go about selecting the new Pope upon the passing of Pope John Paul II. The author, a Rome-based journalist, has already been selected by Fox News as their correspondent and "expert" when the time comes. Especially helpful is the "step-by-step" description of what happens in the Vatican from the moment the Pope dies straight through his Coronation Mass. Also helpful is the information concerning the various "political parties" within the College of Cardinals and useful biographies of those Cardinals whom the author sees as papabile (those for whom election is possible). Less helpful, and indeed off-putting, was the author's obvious bias toward the left wing of the Catholic hierarchy. This is seen, not only in his direct comments, but also in his subtle ridicule of conservative Cardinals. This ridicule is usually effected by the relating of "humorous" anecdotes which serve to make conservative Cardinals look silly. The more a Cardinal is portrayed as a moderate or liberal, the less likely the ridicule. Other than this bit of childishness, the book is a valuable tool. But the conservative or traditionalist reader will have (many) moments of (great) annoyance. Three stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating analysis of the politics of selecting a pope
Review: Anyone with an interest in how the next pope will be selected and the Vatican's internal politics ought to buy this book now, because there will be undoubtedly be a run on it when the critical time arrives. Allen gives us snippets of papal history, describes the procedure for electing a pope, and discusses the underlying politics. (One fascinating tidbit: Did you know that bishops were elected by their priests until the mid-1800s?) Also, 55 pages serve as a reference manual to the cardinals who will be voting in the next conclave - each cardinal gets at least a paragraph summing up his unique characteristics and doctrinal stance. Some reviewers have accused Allen of being 'liberal' - an accurate label from the sort of Catholic who believes birth control is a sin, but most Catholics will find the author to be quite moderate. The author is not heavy-handed about his doctrinal views, but the book does convey how far typical North American practice has deviated from the pope's clear instructions. For example, according to papal decrees, divorcees must not be given communion, eucharistic ministers can only be used in unusual circumstances, and Catholicism is the only genuine path to God. There is a widening gap between the pope's decrees, which are being ignored with impunity, and ordinary practice. Allen predicts that the College of Cardinals will tilt toward the moderates in the next election, even though John Paul II has appointed almost all of the current cardinals. Time will tell. The Vatican's last remaining shreds of credibility are at stake in the next papal election.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating subject matter
Review: As one who is intensely interested in papal possibilities I devoured this book. It is written by a National Catholic Reporter correspondent, but the NCR bias is not too overt. He lists 20 Cardinals who he says are the group of which one will be the next Pope. But instead of listing them in the order of probability he lists them alphabetically! One of the 20 is already dead (Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan), another has turned 80 (Cardinal Etchegaray) and will not even be in the next conclave. He does include in his list of front-runners Dionigi Tettamanzi, Cardinal Archbishop of Genoa, who for some time now has been my prediction for next Pope. Most of the book is pretty accurate as far as I can tell, tho I did note that on Page 119 he describes Pope Paul V as "the Borgia Pope," which is incorrect, he being from the Borghese family--not from the Borgia family. A little older book which deals interestingly with the same topic is Passing the Keys: Modern Cardinals, Conclaves, and the Election of the Next Pope, by Francis A. Burkle-Young. That authority listed five papabili, but only three of those five are in Allen's top 20. Cardinal Neves is omitted because of his health problems, and Cardinal Piovanelli I presume because he is already 78--and the conclave is not imminent. This is an absobing book, as was The Inner Elite: Dossiers of papal Candidates, by Gary MacEoin and his committee, which I read 25 Aug 1978 and after reading which I predicted that Albino Luciani would be elected--and he was. But then when he died I predicted Sebastiano Baggio--and we all know that he wasn't elected. You should read this book and then see if you can predict the next Pope when the time comes for him to be elcted.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating subject matter
Review: As one who is intensely interested in papal possibilities I devoured this book. It is written by a National Catholic Reporter correspondent, but the NCR bias is not too overt. He lists 20 Cardinals who he says are the group of which one will be the next Pope. But instead of listing them in the order of probability he lists them alphabetically! One of the 20 is already dead (Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan), another has turned 80 (Cardinal Etchegaray) and will not even be in the next conclave. He does include in his list of front-runners Dionigi Tettamanzi, Cardinal Archbishop of Genoa, who for some time now has been my prediction for next Pope. Most of the book is pretty accurate as far as I can tell, tho I did note that on Page 119 he describes Pope Paul V as "the Borgia Pope," which is incorrect, he being from the Borghese family--not from the Borgia family. A little older book which deals interestingly with the same topic is Passing the Keys: Modern Cardinals, Conclaves, and the Election of the Next Pope, by Francis A. Burkle-Young. That authority listed five papabili, but only three of those five are in Allen's top 20. Cardinal Neves is omitted because of his health problems, and Cardinal Piovanelli I presume because he is already 78--and the conclave is not imminent. This is an absobing book, as was The Inner Elite: Dossiers of papal Candidates, by Gary MacEoin and his committee, which I read 25 Aug 1978 and after reading which I predicted that Albino Luciani would be elected--and he was. But then when he died I predicted Sebastiano Baggio--and we all know that he wasn't elected. You should read this book and then see if you can predict the next Pope when the time comes for him to be elcted.
Rating: 
Summary: What will happen when John Paul II dies?
Review: Author John L. Allen, Jr. is a correspondent for The National Catholic Reporter. He has penned a biography of controversial Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of the Vatican, and has already contracted to cover the future election of the new Pope for Fox News. Many Americans cannot remember the media focus and the world attention that the death of a popular Pope and the election of a new Cardinal to fill "the shoes of the fisherman" draw, since the event has not happened since 1978. Allen gives us a stunning view of the likely scenarios, issues and the potential for transformation that the Catholic Church faces as John Paul II's days as the most powerful leader in the Christian world draw to a close. From Allen, we get the history of the papacy and the relevance of the way today's church works. He presents issues of bioethics, the church's positions on celibacy and sexuality, the need for church collegiality throughout the world, the need to balance centrist Vatican powers with the role of the world's bishops, and many current Catholic doctrines that will be continued or changed, depending on the election of the new Pope. He presents a dignified and on the mark representation of John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul I and II. He is both informative and relevant on the ceremonies that will transpire when the current Pope dies, without leaving any sense of a "lameduck" status for the existing Papacy and Vatican staff. It's noteworthy that Allen tries to stay neutral on the current stand of the church on the issues, and on his introduction of the conclave participants - the world's cardinals. There is a little liberal and reform bias here, but he is careful to point it out. His choice of 20 of the most prominent or likely candidates is well thought out, and although he is clear that there are many prominent European candidates, the reader learns why the next Pope will not be elected from the USA, and clearly outlines why the 6 Latin American and 2 African Cardinals are serious contenders to lead the Catholic church in the new millennium. A fascinating frontspiece to one of the world's great dramas, "The Conclave" makes for interesting reading for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Rating:
Summary: What will happen when John Paul II dies?
Review: Author John L. Allen, Jr. is a correspondent for The National Catholic Reporter. He has penned a biography of controversial Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of the Vatican, and has already contracted to cover the future election of the new Pope for Fox News. Many Americans cannot remember the media focus and the world attention that the death of a popular Pope and the election of a new Cardinal to fill "the shoes of the fisherman" draw, since the event has not happened since 1978. Allen gives us a stunning view of the likely scenarios, issues and the potential for transformation that the Catholic Church faces as John Paul II's days as the most powerful leader in the Christian world draw to a close. From Allen, we get the history of the papacy and the relevance of the way today's church works. He presents issues of bioethics, the church's positions on celibacy and sexuality, the need for church collegiality throughout the world, the need to balance centrist Vatican powers with the role of the world's bishops, and many current Catholic doctrines that will be continued or changed, depending on the election of the new Pope. He presents a dignified and on the mark representation of John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul I and II. He is both informative and relevant on the ceremonies that will transpire when the current Pope dies, without leaving any sense of a "lameduck" status for the existing Papacy and Vatican staff. It's noteworthy that Allen tries to stay neutral on the current stand of the church on the issues, and on his introduction of the conclave participants - the world's cardinals. There is a little liberal and reform bias here, but he is careful to point it out. His choice of 20 of the most prominent or likely candidates is well thought out, and although he is clear that there are many prominent European candidates, the reader learns why the next Pope will not be elected from the USA, and clearly outlines why the 6 Latin American and 2 African Cardinals are serious contenders to lead the Catholic church in the new millennium. A fascinating frontspiece to one of the world's great dramas, "The Conclave" makes for interesting reading for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Commentary on the Near Future of the Papacy
Review: CONCLAVE is a well written analysis of the processes surrounding the inevitable passing of Pope John Paul II. It also contains a brief, yet cogent outline (albeit somewhat "left of center") of the issues which will play a role in the selection of the next pope. The author, John Allen, is a veteran reporter and Vatican correspondent who brings a depth and breadth of knowledge in identifying the key players and issues which will loom over the next papal election. Issues include collegiality and authority within the church, sexuality and bioethics, the roles of women and laity, doctrine and social justice. Key players include many relatively well-known cardinals already in the inner circle as well as others who have emerged into the spotlight in recent years. Mr. Allen offers a fascinating description of the various political factions or "parties" within the College of Cardinals. The book also describes in clear detail, the rituals and procedures for the entire process from the death of the Pope to the conclave culminating in the election and installation of the new Pontiff. While detailed in its explanations, the book is surprisingly easy to read, yet never stoops to a level of superficiality despite its breezy style. The brief biographies of the cardinals are also helpful, although I would have expected to see several other names in the list of probably contenders.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Commentary on the Near Future of the Papacy
Review: CONCLAVE is a well written analysis of the processes surrounding the inevitable passing of Pope John Paul II. It also contains a brief, yet cogent outline (albeit somewhat "left of center") of the issues which will play a role in the selection of the next pope. The author, John Allen, is a veteran reporter and Vatican correspondent who brings a depth and breadth of knowledge in identifying the key players and issues which will loom over the next papal election. Issues include collegiality and authority within the church, sexuality and bioethics, the roles of women and laity, doctrine and social justice. Key players include many relatively well-known cardinals already in the inner circle as well as others who have emerged into the spotlight in recent years. Mr. Allen offers a fascinating description of the various political factions or "parties" within the College of Cardinals. The book also describes in clear detail, the rituals and procedures for the entire process from the death of the Pope to the conclave culminating in the election and installation of the new Pontiff. While detailed in its explanations, the book is surprisingly easy to read, yet never stoops to a level of superficiality despite its breezy style. The brief biographies of the cardinals are also helpful, although I would have expected to see several other names in the list of probably contenders.
Rating:
Summary: Mechanics and Motivations
Review: I can't imagine it will be long before the next conclave is called into session, and this book is a handy guide to what we can expect. It also answers the interesting question of what the Pope does with a job description that should put any Cardinal off the job. Whatever the Pope does, from the intensely spiritual to the mundane, will satisfy no one. Although Catholics are united in the Creed, we're polarized in the particulars, divided by scandal, and so spread out - geographically as well as ideologically - that someone or anothers ox will always be gored. Nevertheless, Mr. Allen, has given us as close to an inside view of the procedures, politics, and personalities of a conclave as we're likely to get. "Conclave," also serves as a handicappers guide to the election with a rundown of factions, front-runners, and dark horses. Ah, but what about the intervention of the Holy Spirit? The cardinals are adepts of political power, but they are also deeply spiritual, and it's the spirit that is the wild card in any Conclave, and though that story is much more fascinating than the bargaining for a Pope, we'll never plumb the mystery of how that works, and the only author I can recall who explores that territory is out of print. That would be Malachi Martin and his "Final Conclave."
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