"There are other religions, there's only one pope." J. Peladan Probably no religious institution in the world has had so remarkable a history, and assuredly none has attracted so large and varied a literature, as the Papacy. From the early centuries of the Church to the upheavals of modern times, the Papacy has stood at the crossroads of faith, politics, and power. Joseph McCabe, gives us a sketch of papal history, or, rather, an erudite and incisive study of its critical phases. In this compelling historical account, he examines twenty pivotal pontificates that shaped not only the Catholic Church but also the broader course of Western civilisation. This work concludes with a comprehensive chronological list of all popes from the earliest times through Leo XIV in 2025. This fully annotated and updated edition remains a valuable resource for historians, theologians, and all readers interested in the intersection of religion and history.