The Vatican and the New York Times are just two of the sacred cows milked for all they're worth by Andrew M. Greeley in White Smoke. Greeley's starting point--the openness and tolerance espouse by Pope John XXIII in 1963 has, in the intervening decades, been squashed by more conservative forces. Greeley's ending point: the election of a liberal pope who is not only a pro-feminist, but who was once married. In between, he skewers the New York Times in the person of correspondent Dennis Michael Mulloy, a "typical Irish Catholic journalist--magical with words, a fall-down drunk, divorced, fallen away from the church."


From Publishers Weekly
A priest's collar adorns Greeley's neck, of course, and the title refers to the smoke issued from the Vatican when a new pope is chosen-but you don't have to be Catholic to enjoy the author's wise and witty latest (after Irish Gold). For all the ecclesiastical trappings, the real story here is "the ancient and honorable art of politics, second only to poetry in Plato's view of things." The source of that line is frequent Greeley narrator Auxiliary Bishop John Blackwood (Blackie) Ryan of Chicago, who spends almost as much time keeping his superior, Sean Cardinal Cronin, healthy as he does politicking during the election of the new pope. The just-deceased pope isn't named, but Greeley leaves little doubt that he's the present pontiff. As the cardinals assemble to elect a successor, the fictional, right-wing Corpus Christie Institute joins forces with the real-life Opus Dei and the Curia to block the candidacy of the leading liberal candidate. These conservative forces employ electronic eavesdropping, rumor-mongering and character assassination, but they aren't quite up to Ryan, who learned his politics in Chicago. Ryan, whose commentary alternates with other first- and third-person viewpoints, offers lively takes on the Church ("more often good theater these days than good religion"), the American hierarchy ("who didn't understand yet that a little bit authoritarian was like a little bit pregnant") and the cardinals' mission: "to elect a Pope who will not stand in the way of either the Holy Spirit or Jesus' message of love." Included in the high-spirited storytelling are some rare snippets of Church history regarding married popes, early Christian women involved in Church rites and so on. Greeley knows his material and his opinions, and sets both into delicious spins here. Author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Father Blackie?that is, Bishop John Blackwood Ryan (e.g., Happy Are the Poor in Spirit, Jove, 1994)?is back. Bishop Ryan is in Rome along with his boss, Sean, Cardinal Cronin of Chicago, as the College of Cardinals meets to choose the next pope. Covering the papal conclave is Dennis (Dinny) Molloy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times, and his lovely ex-wife, Patricia McLaughlin, a correspondent for CNN. There is serious dissension in the ranks about whom should be the next spiritual leader of the world's one billion Roman Catholics. Cardinal Cronin, pulling strings in the best tradition of Chicago politics, is backing the rather liberal Archbishop of Valencia. Opposing him is the Corpus Christi Institute, a secret, ultraconservative Catholic society. While the clergy battle it out, sparks fly between Dinny and Patty as they rediscover each other. The situation heats up when Dinny unearths a new Vatican investment scandal and Cronin collapses. Greeley tells this fascinating story through the eyes of Blackie and Dinny. Catholics in particular will find Greeley's scenario quite intriguing. Recommended for most fiction collections.-?Maria A. Perez-Stable, Western Michigan Univ. Libs., KalamazooCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The New York Times Book Review, Francis X. Clines
The novelist's skulduggeries are worthy of La Scala.


From Booklist
In this latest novel by the prolific writer-priest, mystery and intrigue and politics engulf the Catholic Church as the cardinals gather in Rome to elect a successor to the recently deceased pope. The cardinals are split into two factions, one favoring a moderate papal governance (headed by a machine-politicking cardinal from Chicago), the other composed of old-guard cardinals opposed to any change or loss of their own power. The plot thickens as the election draws near and the two sides increase their campaigning. When Dennis Molloy, a New York Times reporter (and close personal friend of the Chicago cardinal) uncovers a Vatican banking scandal, the corrupt, shadowy forces lurking in the Vatican do their best to silence him. In addition to all this, a crazed assassin plans to eliminate the next pope as soon as he is elected. Fans of Greeley will appreciate this clever and entertaining work. Kathleen Hughes


From Kirkus Reviews
The pomp, circumstance, and ungodly intrigue attendant on the election of a new Pope provide a dramatic setting for this diverting, albeit message-laden, fiction from the prolific Father Greeley (Angel Light, 1995, etc.), It's the near future, and the incumbent Holy Father has gone to his heavenly reward, bringing a flock of cardinals to the Eternal City to choose a successor. Among them is Chicago's Sean, Cardinal Cronin, an influential hierarch who's convinced the Church needs a more liberal, less authoritarian prelate than the late pontiff. While he lobbies fellow electors on behalf of Luis, Cardinal Mendoza of Valencia, his crafty aide Auxiliary Bishop John Blackwood (Blackie) Ryan works the press. Among those Bishop Blackie recruits for the cause are New York Times reporter Dennis (Dinny) Molloy and his estranged wife, Patricia McLaughlin, a gorgeous redhead who is a star correspondent for CNN. But before the progressives can get their man into the Vatican, they must do battle with reactionary forces who will stop at nothing to preserve the status quo. In the meantime, Dinny (whom worldly-wise clerics have prodded along the path toward reconciliation with Patty) is investigating the possibility that an Italian wheeler-dealer may have lost millions out of the Apostolic See's patrimony. Despite the scandal uncovered by Dinny; constant controversy in the media, and ecclesiastic conclaves over sensitive issues (birth control, celibacy, the ordination of women, etc.); a kidnapping; unchristian conduct; and a host of other obstacles, white smoke finally issues from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new papacy and, perhaps, a turning point in Church history. Greeley doesn't shrink from using his narrative gifts to promote putatively greater goods, but the agreeable confection here is the easier to swallow for its leavening of cynical, secular takes on the doctrinal and political realities obtaining in one of the world's great religions. (Author tour; radio satellite tour) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"The book is such a ripping good read!"


Review
"Maybe the best novel written about the intrigue of Vatican politics. Novelist Greeley makes a compelling case for change in the Church."--Chicago Sun-Times

"You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy the author's wise and witty latest. Included in the high-spirted storytelling are some rare snippets of Church history regarding married popes, early Christian women involved in Church rites, and so on. Greeley knows his material and his opinions, and sets both into delicious spins here."--Publishers Weekly

"Who but Greeley could so seemlessly blend genuine journalistic foibles, serious marital difficulties, and cutthroat ecclesiastical politics into a single metaphor for church-reaching reconciliation....The book is such a ripping good read!"--The Sunday Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, Wis.)



Book Description
The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church have gathered in Rome for the papal election following the death of the incumbent pope. Torn by internal conflict and with many of its members alienated, the Church faces one of the most serious crises in its history. A coalition of cardinals favors a more moderate and pluralistic style of papal governance, but must contend with shadowy Vatican forces that oppose change and loss of their own power. These forces are determined to destory the coalition's candidate, a gentle and brilliant Spanish scholar. The leader of the coalition is Chicago's wily Sean Cardinal Cronin, aided by his patently indispensable sidekick, Bishop John Blackwood "Blackie" Ryan.
 
A lone assassin stalks the Vatican, his crazed mission: to destroy the next pope as soon as the traditional white smoke issues from the cardinals' meeting room--the Sistine Chapel--followed by the ancient words Habemus papam.
 
Can politics--Chicago style--turn the Catholic Church around? What will happen when the next pope must be chosen? Only Andrew M. Greeley, priest, bestselling novelist, and respected sociologist could have written this blockbuster tale of the forces actually ripping the Church apart, and of the next papal election, when the fate of the entire Catholic Church itself may well hang in the balance.



About the Author
A native of Chicago, Reverend Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and bestselling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church-including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination, and sexual behavior of Catholics.

Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1962.

Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the carried by the Chicago Sun Times and may other newspapers. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. He is the author of more than thirty bestselling novels and an autobiography, Furthermore!: Confessions of a Parish Priest.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Politics, intrigue, a Vatican banking scandal, and murderous intent threaten to rip apart the Catholic Church, as the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope in this latest novel by bestselling priest-author Andrew Greeley.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church have gathered in Rome for the papal election following the death of the incumbent pope. Torn by internal conflict and with many of its members alienated, the Church faces one of the most serious crises in its history. A coalition of cardinals favors a more moderate and pluralistic style of papal governance, but must contend with shadowy Vatican forces that oppose change and loss of their own power. These forces are determined to destroy the coalition's candidate, a gentle and brilliant Spanish scholar. The leader of the coalition is Chicago's wily Sean Cardinal Cronin, aided by his patently indispensable sidekick, Bishop John Blackwood "Blackie" Ryan. Ryan in turn enlists the aid of a New York Times reporter, lapsed Catholic Dennis Mulloy, and Mulloy's fiery ex-wife Patricia McLaughlin, now a reporter for CNN. Their marriage ended in bitter anger - but Blackie's clever guidance leads them toward a renewal of their love. However, Mulloy's investigations into international crime threaten to end their new happiness just as it begins. Someone is afraid that Mulloy will uncover and expose a new and tremendous Vatican banking scandal before the election can take place, and they'll go to any lengths to stop him. Including murder. Meanwhile a lone assassin stalks the Vatican, his crazed mission: to destroy the next pope as soon as the traditional white smoke issues from the cardinals' meeting room - the Sistine Chapel - followed by the ancient words Habemus papam.

FROM THE CRITICS

BookList - Kathleen Hughes

In this latest novel by the prolific writer-priest, mystery and intrigue and politics engulf the Catholic Church as the cardinals gather in Rome to elect a successor to the recently deceased pope. The cardinals are split into two factions, one favoring a moderate papal governance (headed by a machine-politicking cardinal from Chicago), the other composed of old-guard cardinals opposed to any change or loss of their own power. The plot thickens as the election draws near and the two sides increase their campaigning. When Dennis Molloy, a "New York Times" reporter (and close personal friend of the Chicago cardinal) uncovers a Vatican banking scandal, the corrupt, shadowy forces lurking in the Vatican do their best to silence him. In addition to all this, a crazed assassin plans to eliminate the next pope as soon as he is elected. Fans of Greeley will appreciate this clever and entertaining work.

Kirkus Reviews

The pomp, circumstance, and ungodly intrigue attendant on the election of a new Pope provide a dramatic setting for this diverting, albeit message-laden, fiction from the prolific Father Greeley (Angel Light, 1995, etc.),

It's the near future, and the incumbent Holy Father has gone to his heavenly reward, bringing a flock of cardinals to the Eternal City to choose a successor. Among them is Chicago's Sean, Cardinal Cronin, an influential hierarch who's convinced the Church needs a more liberal, less authoritarian prelate than the late pontiff. While he lobbies fellow electors on behalf of Luis, Cardinal Mendoza of Valencia, his crafty aide Auxiliary Bishop John Blackwood (Blackie) Ryan works the press. Among those Bishop Blackie recruits for the cause are New York Times reporter Dennis (Dinny) Molloy and his estranged wife, Patricia McLaughlin, a gorgeous redhead who is a star correspondent for CNN. But before the progressives can get their man into the Vatican, they must do battle with reactionary forces who will stop at nothing to preserve the status quo. In the meantime, Dinny (whom worldly-wise clerics have prodded along the path toward reconciliation with Patty) is investigating the possibility that an Italian wheeler-dealer may have lost millions out of the Apostolic See's patrimony. Despite the scandal uncovered by Dinny; constant controversy in the media, and ecclesiastic conclaves over sensitive issues (birth control, celibacy, the ordination of women, etc.); a kidnapping; unchristian conduct; and a host of other obstacles, white smoke finally issues from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new papacy and, perhaps, a turning point in Church history.

Greeley doesn't shrink from using his narrative gifts to promote putatively greater goods, but the agreeable confection here is the easier to swallow for its leavening of cynical, secular takes on the doctrinal and political realities obtaining in one of the world's great religions.