Sex, crime and corruption in the murky history of past popes

THEY’VE plotted and deceived, they’ve been warlike, corrupt and power-hungry and they’ve sired children they shamelessly promoted: the history of popes, as cardinals mull who will succeed John Paul II, is decidedly murky.

Such accusations can in no way be levelled at John Paul II, who died on April 2 after a 26-year pontificate that inspired and enthralled many.

But it was not always so.