John Paul II: A Pope for the People

Contemporary Review, Sept, 2004

John Paul II: A Pope for the People. Luigi Accattoli, Heinz-Joachim Fischer, Arthur Hertzberg, Marco Politi and Hansjakob Stehle. Russell Stockman, translator. Harry N. Abrams. [pounds sterling]25.00. 208 pages. ISBN 0-8109-4984-9. The position of Pope John Paul II is an anomaly to many left-wing thinkers.

He has shown that an individual can reinvigorate an ancient institution by reaching out directly to individuals and bypassing the middlemen. He has also shown that strong personalities can, at least in some cases, make a conservative position more attractive than it would otherwise have been. This study, first published earlier this year in Germany, looks at the Pope from five different viewpoints. Herr Fischer gives a portrait of the Pope as man and cleric; Hansjakob Stehle looks at the Pope's decisive role in the Free World's relations with Communism; Arthur Hertzberg looks at the Pope's work to reconcile Christians and Jews; Luigi Accattoli examines the equally controversial work of a Pope 'who begs forgiveness', that is, his innovative work in encouraging the Church to confess her past misdoings and to ask for forgiveness; finally Marco Politi discusses the Pope's role and work in modern European life and in the problems facing the Church in Europe. Whilst the 139 illustrations make this a stunning book, the five essays make it a serious study of one of the most important Pontiffs in history. (R.J.G.)