Today the papacy remains one of the most influential, and also the most controversial, institutions in the world. The very human story of the life and times of this highly popular teacher will have a broad appeal to both lay reader and church historian, to Catholic and non-Catholic alike. The Process to have Albino Luciani declared a Saint is well advanced. God's Candidate places his life and achievements firmly on the record; as Monsignor Loris Capovilla, former Private Secretary to Pope John John XXIII, said 'There was more in his shop than he put in his wondow.'

Here is a thorough account of the extraordinary life of Albino Luciani (1912-1978), the first full analysis in English of his whole life - not merely another account of the circumstances surrounding his short papacy and death - which lays to rest many popular misconceptions and a great deal of false information. By considering the Pope's whole life, in the context of change and cnontinuity, it is possible to reach a much more mature and balanced view of his papacy and legacy to the Church.