Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy

‘handsomely delivers on its promise to recount the papal transition from the inside. White’s contacts are superb … he can reveal fascinating and delightful details.’ – Austen Ivereigh * Commonweal *“Christopher White embodies what a great Vatican reporter must be: well-sourced to provide inside knowledge but with a keen journalistic, outsider’s eye for detail. In print and on television, he makes the complex ecosystem that is the Catholic Church understandable, which makes him the perfect author to craft the absorbing story of Pope Leo XIV and the riveting conclave that elevated him.” – Chris Jansing, anchor of Chris Jansing Reports * MSNBC *“There is no better source than Christopher White to find out what is happening at the Vatican. White has earned a reputation of trust, based on fairness, hard work, and character.” – Joseph Donnelly, former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican“Christopher White is my go-to Vatican expert - an experienced reporter whose writing on the Catholic Church is nuanced and deeply considered.” – Christine Emba * American Enterprise Institute and the New York Times *“Christopher White is an exceptional Vatican journalist because he is indefatigable as a reporter, exceptionally well-connected, and learned about the Catholic Church, Christian theology and the role of politics inside and outside the church. That’s why so many have relied on him and appreciate his work.” – E.J. Dionne * The Washington Post and The Brookings Institute *“As a reporter, Christopher White has demonstrated his ability to render accessible even the most opaque complexities of the Vatican. A trusted, prescient correspondent, White is a treasure for those eager to understand the influence, impact and importance of the Catholic Church.” – Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO * Catholic Charities USA *“Christopher White’s incisive reporting on the Vatican gives readers unparalleled insight and access into the highest levels of the church, along with the keen insights and invaluable observations that could come only from an expert like him.” – Jesuit Fr. James Martin, editor-at-large * America magazine *

But if a reporter narrating his own more personal experience of events he witnessed is not traditional reporting, exactly, it makes this a more impressive book. It adds a dimension of humanity that makes for a more revealing and fascinating read because it invites the reader into the story. It’s an astonishing achievement. Many more books about Leo will follow, but many authors who take more time will struggle to do so well.