A quarter of a century ago, the Catholic Church surprised the world by electing its first Polish pope, 58-year-old Karol Wojtyla, known as John Paul II. The pontiff's charisma has made him a beloved figure even as he has struggled to represent and unite the disparate factions of the modern Catholic community. Published in cooperation with Der Stern, Germany's widest-selling weekly magazine, this timely book portrays the pope's complex personality and politics through texts by five internationally renowned authors, accompanied by a series of stunning photographs that survey his life and work.
John Paul II's leadership has inspired both enormous respect and constant debate. His portrait as a generally modern pope-who travels widely and makes use of the latest in communication media to explore existential questions of our time-stands in contrast to his conservative views on such issues as abortion, birth control, and the ordination of women. A glorious celebration of the 25 years of his papacy, the book provides a balanced perspective on the achievements of the man considered the most popular pope in modern times.

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ISBN: 9780810949843
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: HARRY N ABRAMS INC - published 15/04/2004
Format: Hardback