The Reckoning by Thomas F. Monteleone

The sequel to the NY Times bestseller, The Blood of the Lamb!

Reeling from the sudden death of the pope during an international celebration, the Archbishops of the Roman Catholic Church unanimously elect Peter Carenza, a charismatic young priest from the United States, to be the next Pontiff. Carenza has revitalized the Church in America, attracting new worshipers in droves to his scandal-free, countrywide congregation.

Carenza remakes the Church in his new image, allowing priests to marry, giving power to women, and preaching of the power of God in man — which Carenza himself seems to wield. He can heal the sick, summon lightning from a clear sky, even raise the dead. 

Is Peter Carenza the long prayed-for Second Coming? 

Or do his powers come from a darker Master?