Eso No Estaba En Mi Libro de Historia de Los Cónclaves - by Mateo Gonzalez Alonso (Paperback)

About the Book

Can a pigeon determine the fate of the next spiritual leader of a billion people? What meeting begins with the strike of a silver hammer on the head of an illustrious corpse? In what global election does absolute silence reign... while many suspect that the Holy Spirit has already chosen? That Wasn't in My History Book of Conclaves delves into the most secretive, symbolic, and perplexing workings of the Catholic Church: the election of the Pope of Rome. Priest and Vatican expert Mateo González Alonso combines history, chronicle, and curiosities to reveal what is rarely seen during a papal succession: cardinals entering with their luggage checked, jokes about dogs before dinner, whispered votes under Michelangelo's frescoes, and ushers urging stragglers to hurry before locking the doors. Halfway between earthly power and a faith that transcends the visible, the conclave is a sacred ceremony that has hardly changed since the 13th century, even though today cassocks pass through anti-spy scanners and the rules are updated. And yet, despite everything, it remains an act of faith. Even if there are intrigues, tacit agreements, and candidacies disguised as humility, there is always room for the unexpected. Like that day when a cardinal forgot to prepare his speech... and ended up greeting the world as St. Peter's successor. Between rings, secret votes, prayers, and corridors, more than just spiritual leadership is decided. The pulse of an institution that resists, transforms, and still surprises is measured. It is not just a person who is chosen... a mystery is staged.

About the Author

Mateo González Alonso es sacerdote salesiano, periodista por las universidades Pontificia de Salamanca y La Sapienza de Roma. Es licenciado en Estudios Eclesiásticos y graduado, además, en Filosofía y en Humanidades. Ha colaborado con diversos medios de comunicación, especialmente en el ámbito religioso: COPE, TRECE, Boletín Salesiano, Il Mio Papa (edición española), Telecinco, La Gaceta de Salamanca, La Razón y Vatican Media. Desde julio de 2015 colabora con la revista Vida Nueva, donde es autor del blog Me lo pregunto y de la columna Más listo que un profeta, en las que ofrece claves para comprender la actualidad religiosa. Ha sido profesor y responsable de pastoral en distintos colegios, y ha desarrollado su labor educativa en el tiempo libre, coordinando varios centros juveniles. Desde septiembre de 2023 es profesor en el Colegio María Auxiliadora de Vigo y director del Centro Xuvenil Abertal. Actualmente, es también vicario parroquial en Vigo. En la congregación salesiana, forma parte del equipo de autores de homilías de la web salesianos.info y es director de la revista de formación permanente Forum.com.