Although there are countless ways to study Saint John Paul the Great, the most direct route is by entering the man’s heart. Discover the five greatest loves of Saint John Paul II, through remarkable unpublished stories about him from bishops, priests, his students, Swiss Guards, and others. Mining through a mountain of papal resources, Jason Evert has uncovered the gems and now presents the Church a treasure chest brimming with the jewels of the saint’s life.

Pope John Paul II is the second longest serving pope in history and the longest serving pope of the last century. His presence has thrown a long shadow across our time, and his influence on Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the world cannot be denied. Much has been written about this pope, but until now, no one has provided a systematic and thorough analysis of the moral theology that underlies his moral teachings and its astonishing influence. And no one is better positioned to do this than Charles E. Curran, widely recognized as the leading American Catholic moral theologian. Curran focuses on the authoritative statements, specifically the fourteen papal encyclicals the pope has written over the past twenty-five years, to examine how well the pope has addressed the broad issues and problems in the Church today. Curran begins with a discussion of the theological presuppositions of John Paul II's moral teaching and moral theology. Subsequent chapters address his theological methodology, his ethical methodology, and his fundamental moral theology together with his understanding of human life. Finally, Curran deals with the specific issues of globalization, marriage, conscience, human acts, and the many issues involved in social and sexual ethics. While finding much to admire, Curran is nonetheless fiercely precise in his analysis and rigorously thoughtful in his criticism of much of the methodological aspects of the pope's moral theology—in his use of scripture, tradition, and previous hierarchical teaching; in theological aspects including Christology, eschatology, and the validity of human sources of moral wisdom and knowledge; and in anthropology, the ethical model and natural law. Brilliantly constructed and fearlessly argued, this will be the definitive measure of Pope John Paul II's moral theology for years to come.

While pontiff, Saint John Paul II brought forth an abundance of documents which will continue to be a permanent source of enrichment for the Church and society. This volume of summaries of the Pope’s major documents, with questions for study, makes these invaluable writings more accessible to each of us, and emphasizes the aspects of his teachings of most interest and application to the lives of the laity. For personal, small group, or class enrichment, John Fagan’s summaries help expose and illuminate the heart and mind of one of the Church’s greatest figures in history. John E. Fagan is an attorney who lives and works in Northern Virginia. He was born in Philadelphia and was raised in Colorado Springs. He has degrees from the University of Notre Dame (BA), Northwestern University (JD), and New York University (LLM).

A comprehensive and exclusive biography on one of the most pivotal figures of the 20th century: Pope John Paul II. As the spiritual head of more than one billion Catholics and a world statesman of immense stature and influence, Pope John Paul II was a major international figure. Yet he remained a mystery—theologically, politically, and personally. Through unprecedented access to both the Pope himself and those close to him, veteran New York Times correspondent and award-winning author Tad Szulc delivered the definitive biography of John Paul II. This strikingly intimate portrait highlights the Polishness that shapes the Pope's mysticism and pragmatism, while providing a behind-the-scenes look at the significant events of his public and private life. Fascinating and thought-provoking, this biography of Pope John Paul II is vital reading not only for Roman Catholics, but for anyone interested in one of the most important figures of our time. The inside story of the negotiations involving John Paul II, Soviet President Gorbachev, and General Jaruzelski of Poland that led to Poland's and Eastern Europe's transition from communism to democracy John Paul II's secret diplomacy, which resulted in the establishment of relations between the Holy See and Israel The never-before-told story of how the Polish communist regime helped to "make" Karol Wojtyla an archbishop, the key step on his road to the papacy. Fascinating and thought-provoking, this biography of Pope John Paul II is vital reading not only for Roman Catholics, but for anyone interested in one of the most important figures of our time.

Includes newspaper front pages announcing the death of Pope John Paul II in a variety of languages.

Pope John Paul II led the Catholic Church during a time of great upheaval. During his pontificate (1978-2005), the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall collapsed, and great strides were made for freedom worldwide. This biography follows the arch of the pontiff's life in the context of world politics.

The National Catholic Reporter editors have selected the most significant of Peter Hebblewaite's articles on the life and times and church of Pope John Paul II. They were stirring years of world change and papal trips and not a little controversy.

While shaping the history of the Church and the world, Pope John Paul II lived his daily life among individuals who knew him closely as a spiritual father, a colleague, and a friend. They both served and were served by the most influential saint of the twentieth century. Polish journalist Wlodzimierz Redzioch, a longtime employee of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, interviewed almost two dozen men and women for this book. Among them are lifelong friends who knew the pope (as Karol Wojtyla) in Kraków and people who cared for him during his pontificate, such as his physician and his secretary. Also here recalling their memories of the pope are some of those who worked beside him inside the Vatican—a papal photographer, a papal spokesman, and curial officials, including the German cardinal who became his successor, Joseph Ratzinger. All of those interviewed tell remarkable stories about Pope John Paul II—beginning with his courageous witness in Communist Poland and his important participation in the Second Vatican Council, continuing through his election to the papacy and the challenges of his pontificate, and ending with the sufferings of his final years. The process of his beatification and canonization is also discussed. Through these previously unpublished stories and anecdotes, a composite portrait emerges of a prayerful and thoughtful man with heroic faith, hope, and charity. Capable of discussing, listening, and delegating, John Paul II was also a decisive leader who unabashedly defended the Catholic faith. With his natural flair for friendship and his gifts of joy and humor, he had a tremendous impact on the world because he deeply touched the hearts of countless people everywhere.

This prayer book has been compiled for the canonisation of John Paul II and is the first publication of its kind containing special prayers through the new Saint’s intercession. It has an introduction by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, Pope John Paul II’s personal secretary and his most faithful friend. Karol Wojtyła was known for his special empathy with ordinary people, and also for his profound prayer. These are the characteristics reflected in this prayer book, making it an ideal instrument for spiritual contact with Saint John Paul II, and a handy collection of prayers which will be useful throughout your life, both for the magnificent moments as well as at the hard times. This prayer book contains the Rosary with John Paul II, a Litany through the intercession of Saint John Paul II, a Way of the Cross with John Paul II, an examination of conscience according to the teachings of John Paul II, and a host of prayers for various occasions. It has been translated into all the major languages and has an imprimatur, which means it has been officially approved by the Roman Catholic Church

Celebrate the upcoming canonization of John Paul II with The Gift of Saint John Paul II! In this book, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, captures the vision that John Paul had for the Church and the world. Cardinal Wuerl is known for his gift of teaching the faith, and in this book he explores the spiritual and pastoral wealth of John Paul’s writings as found in his encyclicals and apostolic exhortations. The Cardinal unfolds these treasures for us, presenting not only St. John Paul’s teachings, but also showing us how we can apply them in our lives. (Formerly available as The Gift of Blessed John Paul II.) “This is a profoundly spiritual, deeply theological, and engagingly pastoral presentation of the faith of the Church, the gospel imperative, and its implications and applications to the circumstances of our lives.” —Cardinal Stanislaus Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, and Personal Secretary to Pope John Paul II