For 2,000 years the pope has been the acknowledged head of the Roman Catholic Church. As the direct successor of St Peter, he holds a unique position, ruling over millions of Catholics worldwide. This comprehensive guide to the 266 men who have been pope provides a timeline of the history of the papacy, and details each pope's life, influence and the way they have shaped the church. Divided into three historical sections in chronological order - the First Popes; the Crusades and the Reformation; and Into the Modern Era - this lavishly illustrated reference book will fascinate and inform anyone interested in the history of Catholicism.