Paul VI: The First Modern Pope (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this scrupulous, densely detailed biography, veteran Vatican reporter Hebblethwaite ( John XXIII ) convincingly portrays Paul VI, pontiff from 1963 to 1978, as thoughtfully and judiciously engaged with the political, social and religious issues of the day. Though Hebblethwaite explores the background of Giovanni Battista Montini, born in 1897 in Brescia, Italy, the book is mainly an institutional history of the church and Montini's role in it, based on accounts from sources from several countries. As chaplain of a student movement, Montini opposed Fascism; he was a close adviser to Pope Pius XII during WW II and after; as Archbishop of Milan, he rebuilt the diocese and supported the ecclesiological changes of Pope John XXIII's Vatican II. As pope, Paul VI traveled the world, becoming the first pope to visit the U.S. and Africa; he committed the Church to working with the United Nations and was the first pope to take part in an ecumenical service. Paul VI, the author argues, had a more nuanced view of ethics than was suggested by the "Pope Bans Pill" headlines that summarized his 1968 encyclical letter on birth control, Humanae Vitae. Observing that many people, including Pope John Paul II, now criticize Paul VI, the author ably--though at too great length--defends his pontificate. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A veteran Vatican reporter draws the reader through the sweeping events of the 20th century in this major biography of Giovanni Battista Montini, who followed John XXIII as Pope Paul VI (1963-78). The author truly admires his subject, "a good and holy man," while providing a balanced combination of history and skilled contemporary reportage. The Vatican on the international scene is as much the subject as is Montini, who, trained in canon law and diplomacy, quietly initiated and implemented much of the modernization that occurred with the Council of Vatican II. Quoting published and unpublished views of Paul VI, the author presents a picture of a church reformer who placed people over protocols, who was deeply contemplative despite life in the busy Curia, and who pleaded for peace before the UN. Historical objectivity is important to the author, who nevertheless inserts occasional pointed personal asides. Political and cultural giants of our century meet here in more than 700 pages, yet there is no waste of words. The book is informative, intellectually challenging, and highly recommended.
- Anna Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 749 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080910461X
• ISBN-13: 978-0809104611
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,030,113 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good biography of the greatest pope, December 17, 2002

By	Fernando - See all my reviews

Because I believe Paul VI was by far the greatest Poper ever and thanks to his tireless efforts there is a Church today that sounds realistic to the world, I welcome this book that I bought back in 1993. The missing star is because, in my view, the author does not follow enough in Paul's sanctity. I recommend that any interested party goes over his prayers, and they will find that his deep intellectual skills were based and sustained upon an impressive spiritual life.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book But It Has Its Problems..., December 8, 2002

By	Shawn Tzu (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

...theologically anyway. But before dealing with that it would be beneficial to review its strengths.

For one thing, it is a comprehensive work. There is evidence throughout that the author sought to write as complete a biography as possible and clocking in at around 750 pages, the detail is not lacking. The portrait of Giovanni Battista Montini the man is well sketched and his gifts made readily apparent to the reader. The author believes that Pope Paul was "the most naturally talented man to become pope in this century" and if he is referring to all around then I can certainly concur with him. The problem though is that the papacy requires more then that to properly function. Paul from the biographies I have read of him - and Hebblethwaithe follows suit with them - sketches a portrait of a man who on paper is almost overqualified to be pope (if that was at all possible) excelling in his knowledge of Canon Law, the history of the Ecumenical Councils, and Church history in general. (Not to mention being schooled in the field of journalism.) An intellectual who could relate to average people, who was kind, compassionate, charitable, and longsuffering. (And from a pastoral standpoint a great priest.) Physically frail in health from his earliest years Paul VI was still able to accomplish much more then it would seem task-wise. An excellent listener who enjoyed philosophical discourse and dialogue with the belief that the truth would ultimately win out. A dialoguist who could weigh the pros and cons of opposing sides and do so equitably. Adding to these the element of patience and sensitivity of all viewpoints and Paul had the makings of a great diplomat.

Hebblethwaithe documents well Paul's service to - and admiration of - Pius XII and treats the latter pope reasonably well: though he seems to think Pius XI was a diplomatic blunderer. (There is a clear preference shown to John XXIII over both of them.) He details well Pope Paul's meetings with Patriarch Athengoras and other leaders both religious and secular. I am trying to think of what else can be said in under 1,000 words about a 750 page book. (In these situations space constraints are not of assistance.)

It has been said in the Conclave that after the election the consensus of him was that he was "John with Pacelli's [Pius XII] brains". But even taking into account all of the relevant factors, it is difficult to see how anyone could say that his reign could be anything better then "average" historically. Hebblethwaithe's sketch reveals the human side of Paul through his successes and also his failings. (Not to mention the tremendous sufferings physically and spiritually that he underwent in the exercise of his ministry.)

It helps now to know that the author is an "ex-Jesuit" because it fills in several question marks that cropped up when I read the book. His treatment of the subject of the minority at the Second Vatican Council is not as balanced as it could be. (The author almost makes it seem that any concessions made by Paul VI to the minority party was the result of conspiracy and certain prelates "getting to Paul" rather then Paul acting as he did out of a sense of personal principle.) The treatment of the Council could have been more thorough as well since that was the defining event and constant reference point for the rest of Pope Paul's pontificate.

There were a few points of theology where the author showed his grasp of the issues as specious. He makes two theological blunders by presuming that the Mystical Body and the Catholic Church affiliation would have to "be overcome by Vatican II" - an absurd notion and one not sanctioned by the documents of Vatican II. (The second was the assertion that the treatment of the Mystical Body in the encyclical somehow did not account for the presence of sin: another superficial commentary on the encyclical's content.) He also shows almost a disdain for the encyclical letter Mysterium Fidei: seemingly any attempt of the Pope to not endorse the "newer and therefore better" whatever it happened to be (and regardless of its relative merits) permeates this work in various spots.

Two more encyclicals that do not meet with the authors approval are Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (on priestly celibacy) and Humanae Vitae. On the latter the author pulls out the kind of kook conspiracy theories that are common to fringe extremists to try and "justify" themselves. (Particularly when it comes to Cardinal Ottaviani in this instance.) It is pretty clear that he did not like Paul's teaching in the latter two encyclicals or the judgment Paul had the CDF issue on women priests. The author for the most part is pretty fair but on the examples above there is a clear bias. The sketch he makes of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre was also not flattering but frankly Lefebvre brought a lot of his problems on himself. (In that context Hebblethwaithe details Pope Paul's patience with Lefebvre very well.) Throughout the ups and downs of the book (which technically is written well and reads well) we receive a detailed sketch of Paul the pope and Montini the man.

In short, this is a good book but it is not without its problems. Two biographies not used by Hebblethwaithe are in this writers opinion superior works page for page. One is Roy MacGregor-Hastie's 1964 biography on Paul VI (approx. 210 pages). Another is Alden Hatch's biography "Pope Paul VI" which is about 400 pages. Either work is better then this one but this one is still worth a read too if you have the time and if deficiencies such as the ones noted above are taken into account.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, February 5, 2009

By	Alan G. Hartman "Alan G. H." (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Paul VI: The First Modern Pope (Fount classics) (Paperback)

This was just a great, insightful, and very well written work on a Pope and an era that is tremendously important to the Church and Italy today!