SIX POPES

This engaging memoir by Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, Six Popes, chronicles his remarkable journey through the Catholic Church and his relationships with influential figures.

Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, an advisor to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, shares his profound journey in the Six Popes. This memoir captures the essence of a life devoted to the Catholic faith, portraying Franco as a 'poor country priest' who established significant relationships with influential religious figures. His narrative is rich with personal anecdotes and reflections on his experiences within the Church.

In Six Popes, Franco recounts his ascent from Belmont in the Bronx to working alongside some of the most powerful leaders in the Roman Catholic Church. His path led him to Rome’s premier seminary and to serving as the special assistant to Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The memoir details his global travels, including a poignant episode in the Deep South during the 1960s, and his participation in Vatican Councils that transformed the Church. Franco's diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C., and at the United Nations provide a backdrop to his stories, offering insights into the lives of notable figures, from U.S. presidents to revered saints like Padre Pio and Saint Mother Teresa.

The memoir also explores the six pontiffs Franco served under: John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. Each figure serves as a landmark in Franco's journey through the corridors of spiritual power, making Six Popes a unique eyewitness account of pivotal moments that shaped the Catholic Church and the world at large.