An inspiring story with elements of a finely wrought thriller. - Romuald Dzemo, The Book Commentary A woman from Missouri ends up on the balcony of St. Peter's in Rome in 2055, having just taken the name Pope Francesca. The reader can go there, to that balcony, that life; and though impossible now, it seems a possible future when imagination and reason together see what the mind alone cannot see now. - Murray Bodo, OFM It is 2055, and there's a new pope. It's Jessica Simon, an American, a wife and a mother. She's taken the name Francesca. A lifelong advocate for the poor, she believes the Catholic Church must return to Jesus' central teachings. But powerful forces are aligned against her. They see Francesca as a threat. Some will stop at nothing to stop her. Will Pope Francesca survive? Will she succeed in reforming the Church? In an hour of darkness, can she rekindle the light?