Sex Lives of the Popes [antikvár]

Introduction E. Z^ven in an age when priestly misdemeanours regularly hit the headlines, it would be hard to imagine Pope John Paul II being ministered to by a mother superior, while the college of cardinals looked on. However, such a spectacle would not be without historic precedent. Plenty of previous popes have got up to all kinds of mischief. Many have been married. More, while making a show of celibacy, have installed their mistresses in the Vatican and promoted their illegitimate sons - or 'nephews' as they are known in the Church - to high office. There have been gay popes who have made their catamites cardinals. There have been grossly promiscuous popes of both persuasions. Orgies were not unknown in the papal palaces. One pope ran a brothel out of the Lateran Palace. Several have increased their income by taxing the whores of Rome. Others sold indulgences to the clergy in the form of a sin tax that allowed them to keep their mistresses, provided they paid an annual fee.