SIX POPES: A Son of the Church Remembers

Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, a son of Italian immigrants, has written a memoir titled Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers. It recounts his experiences working with the highest and most influential figures of the Roman Catholic Church, including Archbishop Fulton Sheen and six popes. The book offers a unique eyewitness vantage on many of the events and movements that shaped our world and the Catholic Church.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 April 2021
Publisher: Humanix Books

Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers is a captivating memoir by Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, offering a unique perspective only a son can provide, encompassing his experiences as both a son of the Catholic Church and an Italian immigrant. Born in Belmont, his Bronx neighborhood, Franco's journey led him to work closely with the highest and most influential figures within the Roman Catholic Church. As a young man, he attended Rome's prestigious seminary, where he served as the special assistant to Archbishop Fulton Sheen. His priestly career took him around the world, including a harrowing encounter in the Deep South during the early 1960s. He also played a significant role at the Vatican Councils, which profoundly redefined the Church. His diplomatic service took him to Washington, D.C., and the United Nations, where he interacted with world leaders and religious figures such as Padre Pio and Saint Mother Teresa.

Franco's current role as Advisor at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations may not fully convey the dramatic events he reminisces about in this book. The stories of the six pontiffs he served under—John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—serve as landmarks along his journey through the corridors of spiritual power in New York, Washington, D.C., and Rome. Written from a firsthand eyewitness vantage point, Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers provides a profound insight into many of the events and movements that shaped both the world and the Catholic Church. This memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the rich history and profound impact of the Catholic Church.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781630061333