<The> keys and the kingdom the British and the papacy from John Paul II to Francis

"Catherine Pepinster charts the relationship between the British and the Papacy in the modern era, looking at how this relationship is coloured by its turbulent past. Despite the enmity of previous centuries, Pepinster uncovers surprising instances of influence of the Papacy in British politics, the collaboration between Pope and politicians on key issues, the 'stealth minority' of Catholics occupying major positions in public life, and the modern relationship between the Papacy and the Crown. In addition Pepinster analyses the crucial role that Britain has played in Rome, uncovers the unexpected role of the British Foreign Office in the appointment of Pope Francis, and discusses the modern style of the Papacy and how this functions on a global scale. Featuring exclusive interviews with Cardinals Nichols and Murphy-O'Connor, Rowan Williams, Lord Patten and former British Ambassadors to both the Holy See and Italy, this account of the contemporary relationship between Great Britain and the Pope offers both fundamental evidence and penetrating insights into this most fascinating of political relationships."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Cover page -- Halftitle page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Dedication -- Epigraph -- CONTENTS -- PLATES -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND LIST OF INTERVIEWEES -- Introduction -- Notes -- PART ONE -- 1 The entirely trusted stealth minority: How Catholics became part of Britain today -- Mass forbidden -- Wellington, the Catholics' champion -- Catholic restoration -- A church of the poor -- Middle-class religion -- Tribalism -- God is back -- Power and influence -- Notes -- 2 Relations restored: Diplomacy, part one -- Notes -- 3 From farce to Golden Age: Diplomacy, part two -- Notes -- 4 Faith and reason: Benedict XVI and the British -- Notes -- 5 The Franciscan age: A very British coup -- Notes -- 6 The British at the heart of Rome -- Notes -- PART TWO -- Introduction to Part Two: Taking a look at specifics -- Notes -- 7 Every picture tells a story: Ecumenism -- Notes -- 8 'The last Christian monarch': The queen and the papacy -- Notes -- 9 Northern Ireland: Emissaries and backchannels in search of peace and justice -- Notes -- 10 Tricolours, saltires and papal flags: The papacy and Scotland -- Notes -- 11 What makes for the 'x' factor?: The pope as modern leader -- Notes -- 12 The grit in the oyster: Church, state and domestic politics -- Notes -- SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX La 4e de couverture indique : "Catherine Pepinster charts the relationship between the British and the Papacy in the modern era, looking at how this relationship is coloured by its turbulent past. Despite the enmity of previous centuries, Pepinster uncovers surprising instances of influence of the Papacy in British politics, the collaboration between Pope and politicians on key issues, the `stealth minority' of Catholics occupying major positions in public life, and the modern relationship between the Papacy and the Crown. In addition Pepinster analyses the crucial role that Britain has played in Rome, uncovers the unexpected role of the British Foreign Office in the appointment of Pope Francis, and discusses the modern style of the Papacy and how this functions on a global scale. Featuring exclusive interviews with Cardinals Nichols and Murphy-O'Connor, Rowan Williams, Lord Patten and former British Ambassadors to both the Holy See and Italy, this account of the contemporary relationship between Great Britain and the Pope offers both fundamental evidence and penetrating insights into this most fascinating of political relationships." Catherine Pepinster charts the relationship between the British and the Papacy in the modern era, looking at how this relationship is coloured by its turbulent past. Despite the enmity of previous centuries, Pepinster uncovers surprising instances of influence of the Papacy in British politics, the collaboration between Pope and politicians on key issues, the 'sstealth minority' of Catholics occupying major positions in public life, and the modern relationship between the Papacy and the Crown. In addition Pepinster analyses the crucial role that Britain has played in Rome, uncovers the unexpected role of the British Foreign Office in the appointment of Pope Francis, and discusses the modern style of the Papacy and how this functions on a global scale. Featuring exclusive interviews with Cardinals Nichols and Murphy-O'Connor, Rowan Williams, Lord Patten and former British Ambassadors to both the Holy See and Italy, this account of the contemporary relationship between Great Britain and the Pope offers both fundamental evidence and penetrating insights into this most fascinating of political relationships