BOOK REVIEW: The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale of Mystery, Death, and Salvation

provincialmills
Oct 14
2 min read

Title: The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale of Mystery, Death, and Salvation

Author: Jon M. Sweeney

Genre: History

Memorable Passages:

One of the standout elements for me was how well Sweeney documented the inner workings of the papal conclave during the medieval period. The process of electing a pope back then was chaotic, political, and deeply rooted in the early, disorganized stages of the Church. It’s a far cry from the structured rituals we see today. The author did a solid job capturing that tension and uncertainty.

What is it about?

This book traces the life of Peter Morrone—from his humble beginnings as a hermit to his unexpected election as Pope Celestine V. It covers the brief and turbulent time he spent as pope, his voluntary resignation (a rarity in Church history), and the grim aftermath: imprisonment and eventual death. Sweeney attempts to unpack the mystery behind why Morrone was chosen, why he stepped down, and what forces were at play during and after his papacy.

What I Liked

I appreciated that the book tackled a topic I hadn’t seen covered much before. The idea of someone willingly quitting the papacy is fascinating, and Sweeney brings attention to lesser-known historical events that deserve more recognition. It’s a niche story, and I respect the effort to bring it to light.

What I Didn't Like

Despite the intriguing subject matter, the book didn’t hold my attention. Normally I can finish a book under 250 pages in two weeks—this one took me over a month. The writing style felt more like a college textbook than a compelling narrative. While I’ve often wished authors would include more context about what was happening globally during a given time period, Sweeney went overboard. Much of the book veers into philosophical and psychological tangents that don’t directly relate to Peter Morrone. It felt like the focus drifted too far from the central figure, and that diluted the impact of the story.

Final Overall Rating

This is not simply an average of the previous 3 ratings, but its own rating about how all the separate pieces came together and if it is worth your time to read it!

Content: 🪶🪶🪶✧✧ (3/5 Quills)
Research: 🪶🪶🪶✧✧ (3/5 Quills)
Writing Style: 🪶🪶✧✧✧ (2/5 Quills)

There are redeeming qualities here—especially the research—but the book struggles with pacing, focus, and engagement. It has potential, but doesn’t fully deliver.

🪶🪶✧✧✧