Upton Bell Collection at UMass Lowell Libraries: Flynn

The College of Cardinals meets after the death of Pope John Paul II to elect a new pope. After days locked in a stalemate, the Cardinals cast throw-away votes for Bill Kelly, a former priest. But no-one is laughing when he wins the majority, and becomes the first American Pope.

Drawing on years of personal interaction with the pope, and on his unique understanding of the intersection of religion and politics, former U.S. ambassador to the vatican and mayor of Boston Ray Flynn shows how John Paul II changed the papacy, perhaps forever.Unlike any other pope, and indeed, unlike any other person, John Paul II has reached out, creating dialogue or creating uproar, but always striving to unite the human community. Flynn (with co-authors Robin Moore and Jim Vrabel) gives an intimate, compelling, and comprehensive portrait of John Paul II's controversial papacy, from his origins in Poland to his impact on the American people and their politics, and his travels to the far corners of the world.AUTHORBIO: Ray Flynn served as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 1993-1997, and as the Mayor of Boston from 1984-1993. He hosts a daily, nationally syndicated political television talk show and lives in Boston with his wife and six children.Robin Moore is the bestselling author of The French Connection and The Green Berets, as well as more than thirty other novels and nonfiction books. He lives with his wife in Concord, Massachusetts.Jim Vrabel is a former newspaper reporter and speechwriter. He lives with his wife and daughter in Brookline, Massachusetts.