The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale of Mystery, Death, and Salvation

From Goodreads: At the close of the tumultuous Middle Ages, there lived a man who seemed destined from birth to save the world. His name was Peter Morrone, a hermit, a founder of a religious order, and, depending on whom you talk to, a reformer, an instigator, a prophet, a coward, a saint, and possibly the victim of murder. A stroke of fate would, practically overnight, transform this humble servant of God into the most powerful man in the Catholic Church. Half a year later, he would be the only pope in history to abdicate the chair of St. Peter, an act that nearly brought the papacy to its knees. What led him to make that decision and what happened afterward would be shrouded in mystery for centuries. The Pope Who Quit pulls back the veil of secrecy on this dramatic time in history and showcases a story that involves deadly dealings, apocalyptic maneuverings, and papal intrigue.

The Pope Who Quit is the story of Celestine V, a monk who was elected to the Papacy through guile of those around him, who is the only Pope tho ever have quit the papacy before Benedict XIV. The story is that of a hermit monk who was a leader, but given only to the love of God and contemplation of His Goodness. Elected to be the Bishop of Rome he was not able to cope and quit the papacy. The book is well written and engrossed me immediately. I give it 3 1/2 stars ( )