"St. Peter's Square, Rome. White smoke signals that a new Pope has been chosen. Is it possible that the new Pope is a woman? The world is watching as historic crowds gather in Rome, waiting for news of a new Pope, one who promises to be unlike any other in the Church's history. Some followers are ecstatic, but the leading candidate has made a legion of powerful enemies. From a difficult childhood with drug addled parents, to a career as a doctor on...

"A deadly race for the Vatican's oldest secret fuels New York Times bestseller Steve Berry's latest international Cotton Malone thriller. The pope is dead. A conclave to select his replacement is about to begin. Cardinals are beginning to arrive at the Vatican, but one has fled Rome for Malta in search of a document that dates back to the 4th century and Constantine the Great. Former Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is at Lake Como, Italy,...

"The pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and eighteen cardinals gather to cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. When all is said and done, one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on Earth. In their cloistered debate they will uncover abuse and corruption at the very heart of the Church. It's a scandal that could destroy all they hold dear, and they must act decisively to ensure...

In the days following the death of Pope John Paul II, when 115 cardinals have to be called to the Vatican in order to take part in the Conclave to elect the new Pope, a cardinal has been found murdered.