The Pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and twenty Cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals. Over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth.

Robert Harris
Robert Harris is a bestselling British author known for his historical fiction and thrillers. Born on March 7, 1957, in Nottingham, England, Harris began his career as a journalist before turning to fiction. His acclaimed works include Fatherland, Pompeii, and the Cicero Trilogy, blending meticulous research with gripping storytelling. Many of his novels explore political intrigue, history, and power dynamics. Harris’s books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted for film and television, establishing him as a master of historical and political fiction.