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, th book provides a balanced perspective on the achievements of the man considered the most popular pope in modern times.
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, th book provides a balanced perspective on the achievements of the man considered the most popular pope in modern times.
