Concentrating on the most important popes, this work provides an overview of one of the oldest and most influential institutions in the world. Notable popes are analyzed in comprehensive entries divided into five historical sections:

· Early

· Medieval

· Renaissance and Reformation

· Early Modern

· Modern

Section introductions place the popes in historical perspective and include general bibliographic references for the entire age. Individual essays provide specific bibliographic references. Unlike multivolume references that cover all of the popes, this source focuses exclusively on popes who played crucial roles not only in the institution of the papacy itself, but also in European and world events.