The world watches. The smoke clears. A name is announced. A man steps forward and the gaze of all heaven and earth falls upon him.

We have a new pope, and his name is [PETER].

But who is this 266th successor to St. Peter? What is his vision for the Church, and what impact will his papacy have on Catholics and on the world?

Renowned Vatican journalist Ed Pentin--known for his decades of unflinching, in-depth reporting from inside the Holy See--offers the first authoritative portrait of the new Holy Father. With unmatched access, deep sources in Rome, and a reputation for integrity and insight, Pentin delivers a compelling, richly textured narrative of the new pope's life, beliefs, and improbable journey to the Chair of St. Peter.

Pentin's gimlet eye was sharpened covering five pontificates and multiple conclaves and special events. His work has appeared in the National Catholic Register, The Spectator, Zenit, EWTN, and beyond, and he is regularly called upon by global media to interpret Vatican affairs.

This book will roll off the presses within a fortnight of the pope's election, making it the first definitive biography available to readers worldwide. Accessible, informative, and rooted in journalistic rigor and an intimate understanding of the Church, Portrait of the New Pope is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the man inside the white cassock--and the moment in which he will reign.