These original essays offer thought-provoking perspectives on the complex evolution of the papacy in the last 500 years, from the Pope as an Italian Renaissance prince to the Pope as a universal pastor concerned with the well-being and salvation of human beings everywhere on earth.

Introduction James Corkery and Thomas Worcester; 1. Julius II: prince, patron, pastor Frederic J. Baumgartner; 2. Clement VII: prince at war Kenneth Gouwens; 3. The pope as saint: Pius V in the eyes of Sixtus V and Clement XI Pamela M. Jones; 4. Pasquinades and propaganda: the reception of Urban VIII Sheila Barker; 5. Jansenism vs. papal absolutism Gemma Simmonds; 6. Pius VII: moderation in an age of revolution and reaction Thomas Worcester; 7. Pius IX, pastor and prince Ciarán O'Carroll; 8. The social question in the papacy of Leo XIII Thomas Massaro; 9. The perils of perception: British Catholics and papal neutrality, 1914-23 Charles R. Gallagher; 10. Electronic pastors: radio, cinema and television, from Pius XI to John XXIII John F. Pollard; 11. Mixed reception: Paul VI and John Paul II on sex and war Linda Hogan; 12. John Paul II: universal pastor in a global age James Corkery; Conclusion James Corkery and Thomas Worcester; Select bibliography; Index.