PAPAL TRANSITION--FICTION

Once the ceremonies and funeral are over, the Roman Catholic College of Cardinals must select a new Pope, sequestered until that decision is reached. The process has been frequently written about in fiction as well as non-fiction.

The Fiction_L Listserve group has generated a list of fiction with plots concerning papal elections and the papacy in general (compiled by Andrew Smith, Williamsburg Regional Library, Virginia). Of the 28 books and one short story listed, The Elk Grove Library has 18 and the one story:

Brown, Dan Angels and Demons (2000)
Burgess, Anthony Earthly Powers (1980)
Clancy, Tom Red Rabbit (2002)
Cross, Donna Woolfolk Pope Joan (1996)
De Rosa Peter Pope Patrick (1997)
Gifford. Thomas The Assassini (1990)
Greeley, Andrew White Smoke (1997)
Kennedy, Eugene Fixes (1989)
Martin, Malachi Vatican (1986)
Martin, Malachi The Final Conclave (1978)
McInerny, Ralph The Red Hat (1998)
Silva, Daniel The Confessor (2003)
Silverberg, Robert "Good News from the Vatican" in Nebula Award Stories Seven
Tobin, Greg Council (2002)
Tobin, Greg Conclave (2001)
West, Morris The Clowns of God (1981)
West, Morris Eminence (1998)
West, Morris Lazarus (1990)
West, Morris The shoes of the Fisherman (1963)

Most of the books are in the regular adult fiction collection; Father Greeley's book is in the Mystery section; Mr. Silva's book is in paperback, large print, and audio, only. [For the complete list, look at the entry for April 4, 2005, on the Waterboro Public Library (Maine) site.]