John Paul II – The Biography

SAN PABLO presents the first biography written on a scientific and testimonial basis of a Pope who still lives in the memory of believers and of many men and women throughout the world. Andrea Riccardi, who knew the pontiff closely, affirms that John Paul II is a great figure of the 20th century, whose history he fully represents. “He is also a character of the 2000s: he left us with the century already begun and his religious legacy continues to be a reference. Karol Wojtyla was a decisive figure in contemporary religious events, but also a leader who placed his Church at the heart of history.” During the years of his pontificate (1978-2005), John Paul was a great protagonist on the world stage. In the service of the Catholic Church, he believed in a change of world, communicated the Gospel everywhere, promoted unity between Christians and friendship with Jews, encouraged dialogue between religions and worked for peace. At the end of his life, exhausted by illness, he moved humanity. Reconstructing the story of Karol Wojtyla requires “not only the ability to interpret and narrate, but also insight into the culture and inner resonances of the character, and at the same time, awareness of the spiritual energies he set in motion. I felt the responsibility and joy of writing this book because of the greatness and significance of the figure of John Paul II. One does not write, however, to erect a monument but to understand, to approach a character and his time, to understand even better the history of our time,” says Andrea Riccardi.

ANDREA RICCARDI

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