April 2005 marked the end of Pope John Paul II's papacy and the beginning of Pope Benedict XVI's. As countless pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray for, and eventually bid farewell to, the pope they had known for 26 years, millions upon millions of Catholics and non Catholics across globe waited for the new pope to be named. As the authoritative and official publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, From Pope John Paul II to Benedict XVI invites readers to savor this pivotal moment in Church history and to go behind the scenes to better understand the life, death, and legacy of John Paul II; the inner workings of the conclave that elected the new pope; the mind and ministry of Benedict XVI; and the challenges he and the Church face into the future.

From Pope John Paul II to Benedict XVI brings together the writings of the Catholic News Service journalists—who spend their lives covering the Catholic Church—with the reflections of seven U.S. cardinals who cast their votes in the papal election, full-color photos by award-winning photographer Nancy Wiechec, and essential charts and timelines that complement the text. It also features writings and speeches by Benedict XVI, as well as reflections by Sister Mary Ann Walsh—the award-winning editor of the best-selling John Paul II: A Light for the World and a frequent national and international TV guest from Rome throughout the papal transition.