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Papa Giovanni Paolo II (1920–2005)

Author of Crossing the Threshold of Hope

1,138+ Works 32,969 Members 369 Reviews 24 Favorited
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About the Author

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. He studied poetry and drama at Jagiellonian University. During World War II, he worked in a stone quarry and chemical factory while preparing for the priesthood. He received a Ph.D. from Rome's Angelicum Institute and a show more doctorate in theology at the Catholic University of Lublin. He was ordained in 1946 and became Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958. He was a university chaplain and taught ethics at Krakow and Lublin. In 1964, he became Archbishop of Krakow and in 1967, a Cardinal. On October 16, 1978, he was elected as the first non-Italian Pope since 1523. On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot in an assassination attempt entering St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, but recovered fully. During the 1980's and 90's, the Pope visited Africa, Asia, the Americas and in 1993, to the Baltic republics, which was the first Papal visit to countries of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He greatly influenced the restoring of democracy and religious freedom in Eastern Europe and reaffirmed the Roman Catholic teachings against homosexuality, abortion, "artificial" methods of reproduction, birth control and priest celibacy. He rejected the ordination of women and opposed direct political participation and office holding of priests. His extensive ethical and theological writings included Fruitful and Responsible Love, Sign of Contradiction, Redemptor Hominis (Redeemer of Man), Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), and Ut Unum Sint (That They May Be One). After developing septic shock, he died on April 2, 2005. He was proclaimed venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on December 19, 2009 and was beatified on May 1, 2011. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Includes the names: K Woitila, K. Wojtyla, Pope Jp Ii, Joan Pau II, Pave J.P.II, II John Paul, John Paul II, John Paul II, John Paul ll, Jean-Paul II, Jean-Paul II, John Paul II, Pope Paul II, Jean-Paul II, Jan Pawel II, Jan Pawel II, John ll Paul, John Paul ll, Juan Pablo II, Joao Paulo Ii, Karol Wojtyla, Wojtyla Carlo, Karol Wojtyla, Joao Paulo II, Pablo II Juan, Juan II Pablo, Jan Paweł II, Jan Pawell II, Jan Paweł II, Juan Pablo II, Karol Woytyla, João Paulo II, Karol Wojtyła, João Paulo II, Ioannes Paulus, Karol Wojtyła, Pope John Paul, st john paul 2, João Paulo II, Ioannes Paulus, Ioannes Paulus, János Pál II, Ioann Pavel II, Paulo João II, Johannes Paulus, Karol : Wojtyla, João iII Paulo, papa ( Joan Pau, papež Jan Pavel, POP JOHN PAUL II, WOYTYLA CARDINAL, Johannes Paul II, Giovann Paolo II, papež Jan Pavel, St. John Paul II, Papa Joan Pau II, Karol J. 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Papa Johannes Paulus, Иоанн Павел II, Pope John Paul II et al., Pope John Paul II, Saint, His Holiness John Paul II, Papa Juan Pablo II, Santo, Pope John Paul II - Karol, Un-Read Pope John Paul II, HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II, Paavi Johannes Paavali II, påve Johannes Paulus, paavi. Johannes Paavali II, Pāvests Jānis Pāvils II, Кароль Войтыла, USCCB Pope St. John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla. Jan Pawel II, Karol John Paul II; Wojtyla, John Paul; Pope John Paul Ii, LETTERS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Holy See of Pope John Paul II, Karil (Juan Pablo Ii) Wojtyla, Holy See of Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla (Andrzej Jawien), Wojtyla Karol ( Juan Pablo Ii), Karol (Bl Pope John II Wojtyla, Igr.Catol. Papa João Paulo II, Pope John Paul II Karol Wojxla, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla Johannes Paul II., Karol Wojtyla Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla Papa Juan Pablo II, and Catholic Church John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, Jean Paul II [Pope John Paul II], Jawien Andrzej - Wojtyla Karol -, Vittorio Paul John and Messori 2, Pope John Paul II / Karol Wojtyla, Karol Jzef Wojtyla Juan Pablo II, Giovanni Paolo II (Ioannes Paulus, Папа Иоанн Павел II, Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II), Pope John Paul II / Karol Wojtyla, Pope ; Wojtyla John Paul II, Karol, pápa János Pál, Karol Józef Wojtyła (Pope John Paul, ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, Catholic Church (1978- : John Paul II), Papa Karol Wojtila (Juan Pablo, Santo), PAUL THIGPEN (EDITOR)' 'POPE JOHN PAUL II, Carlo Wojtyla (ora Papa Giovanni Paolo II), H T WILLETTS (TRANSLATOR) POPE JOHN PAUL II, Cardinal Karol. (Pope John Paul II) Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II; Translator-H. T. Willetts, Eglise catholique. Pape (1978- : Jean-Paul II), Translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz Karol Woytyla, Translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz Karol Woytyla, II; Donders Joseph G Joseph G.; John Paul Donders, Editor) Pope Jo His Holiness (Vittorio Messori II, Pope John Paul II - Daughters of St. Paul (compile

Also includes: Ioannes Paulus (1), (papież ; Jan Paweł (1), Pope John Paul (2), Pope John Paul II (2), Catholic Church. Pope (1978-2005 : John Paul II), (1)

Series

Works by Papa Giovanni Paolo II

Crossing the Threshold of Hope (1994) — Author — 3,287 copies, 23 reviews
The Gospel of Life: Evangelium Vitae (1995) — Author — 1,288 copies, 7 reviews
Veritatis Splendor: The Splendour of Truth (1993) — Author — 1,171 copies, 5 reviews
RISE, Let Us Be on Our Way (2004) — Author — 1,124 copies, 7 reviews
Love and Responsibility (1960) — Author — 1,046 copies, 6 reviews
Fides et Ratio: On the Relationship between Faith and Reason (1998) — Author — 858 copies, 9 reviews
Gift and Mystery (1996) — Author — 846 copies, 6 reviews
Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body (2006) — Author — 774 copies, 4 reviews
Memory and Identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium (2005) — Author — 618 copies, 7 reviews
Prayers and Devotions: 365 Daily Meditations (1984) — Author — 514 copies, 1 review
Redemptoris Mater: Mother of the Redeemer (1987) — Author — 494 copies, 6 reviews
The Theology of the Body: Human Love in the Divine Plan (1997) — Author — 470 copies, 2 reviews
Centesimus Annus: On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (1991) — Author — 382 copies, 12 reviews
Redemptor Hominis: The Redeemer of Man (1979) — Author — 379 copies, 7 reviews
Sign of Contradiction (1978) — Author — 375 copies, 6 reviews
Laborem Exercens: On Human Work (1981) — Author — 361 copies, 9 reviews
Salvifici Doloris: On The Christian Meaning Of Human Suffering (1984) — Author — 348 copies, 8 reviews
The Jeweller's Shop (1979) — Author — 348 copies, 4 reviews
Roman Triptych: Meditations (2003) — Author — 341 copies, 10 reviews
Rosarium Virginis Mariae: On the Most Holy Rosary (2002) — Author — 340 copies, 7 reviews
Dives in Misericoridia: On the Mercy of God (1980) — Author — 333 copies, 3 reviews
Catechesi Tradendae: On Catechesis in our Time (1979) — Author — 320 copies, 3 reviews
Mulieris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (1988) — Author — 304 copies, 5 reviews
Easter Vigil and Other Poems (1979) — Author — 294 copies
Gratissimam Sane: Letter to Families (1994) — Author — 281 copies, 5 reviews
The Way to Christ: Spiritual Exercises (1962) — Author — 278 copies, 1 review
Ut Unum Sint: On Commitment to Ecumenism (1995) — Author — 269 copies
Pope John Paul II: In My Own Words (1998) — Author — 230 copies, 1 review
The Place Within: The Poetry of Pope John Paul II (1994) — Author — 209 copies, 2 reviews
An Invitation to Joy (1999) — Author — 202 copies, 2 reviews
Dies Domini: On Keeping the Lord's Day Holy (1998) — Author — 200 copies, 2 reviews
Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love (2003) — Author — 191 copies
Sources of Renewal: The Implementation of Vatican II (1980) — Author — 172 copies, 2 reviews
The Church in America: Ecclesia in America (1999) — Author — 156 copies, 2 reviews
Words of Inspiration (Private Prayers of Pope John Paul II) (v. 1) (1994) — Author — 145 copies, 1 review
The Meaning of Vocation (1997) — Author — 142 copies
Breakfast With the Pope: Daily Readings (1995) — Author — 127 copies, 1 review
The Spirit, Giver of Life and Love (A Catechesis on the Creed) (1996) — Author — 124 copies, 1 review
God, Father and Creator, Vol. 1 (A Catechesis on the Creed) (1996) — Author — 123 copies, 2 reviews
John Paul II: The Encyclicals in Everyday Language (1996) — Author — 121 copies, 1 review
The acting person (1979) — Author — 116 copies, 1 review
Jesus, Son and Savior, Vol. 2 (A Catechesis on the Creed) (1996) — Author — 110 copies, 1 review
John Paul II's Book of Mary (1996) — Author — 105 copies, 1 review
Letter of John Paul II to Women (1995) — Author — 101 copies, 1 review
Faith According to Saint John of the Cross (1979) — Author — 101 copies
Mane Nobiscum Domine: For the Year of the Eucharist (2004) — Author — 94 copies, 2 reviews
Pope John Paul II: His Essential Wisdom (2005) — Contributor — 90 copies, 2 reviews
Collected Poems (1982) — Author — 86 copies, 1 review
Springtime of Evangelization (1999) — Author — 74 copies
Fruitful and responsible love (1978) — Author — 74 copies, 1 review
Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II. (1982) — Author — 67 copies
Theology of the Body in Simple Language (2008) — Author — 66 copies
Blessed Are the Pure of Heart (1983) — Author — 66 copies
The rosary of pope john Paul II: The 20 Mysteries (2002) — Author — 66 copies
Pope John Paul II in America (1988) — Author — 66 copies
Ex Corde Ecclesiae: On Catholic Universities (1990) — Author — 61 copies
John Paul II: Lessons for Living (2004) — Author — 61 copies
Reflections on Humanae vitae: Conjugal morality and spirituality (1984) — Author — 61 copies, 2 reviews
Agenda for the Third Millennium (1996) — Author — 59 copies
Fear not: Thoughts on living in today's world (1998) — Author — 55 copies
Letter to Artists (Meeting House Essays) (1998) — Author — 52 copies
Pope John Paul II (1987) — Author — 48 copies
U.S.A The Message of Justice, Peace and Love (1979) — Author — 48 copies
Slavorum Apostoli: The Apostles of the Slavs (1985) — Author — 43 copies, 1 review
A Pilgrim Pope: Messages for the World (1999) — Author — 42 copies
Sacred in All Its Forms (1984) — Author — 41 copies
John Paul II: A Marian Treasury (2005) — Author — 41 copies
Theology of Marriage and Celibacy (1986) — Author — 38 copies
Talks of John Paul II (1979) — Author — 35 copies
John Paul II's Way of the Cross (2000) — Author — 34 copies
John Paul II Speaks to Youth at World Youth Day (1993) — Author — 33 copies
The Prayers of Pope John Paul II (1996) — Author — 32 copies
Letter of Pope John Paul II to All Priests: Holy Thursday 1979 (1979) — Author — 30 copies, 2 reviews
The Things of the Spirit (1982) — Author — 30 copies
John Paul II Speaks to Religious, Book III (1995) — Author — 29 copies
Pope in Ireland: Addresses and Homilies (1979) — Author — 25 copies
The Pope, Journey To America (1987) — Author — 25 copies
A Moment's Peace: Words of Encouragement (1995) — Author — 24 copies
John Paul II Speaks to Religious Book VIII (1900) — Author — 23 copies
Daily Meditations of John Paul II (1985) — Author — 22 copies
JOHN PAUL II SPEAKS TO RELIGIOUS 1997-1998, BOOK X. (1998) — Author — 22 copies, 1 review
Ecclesia in Oceania: The Church in Oceania (2001) — Author — 21 copies
Toward a Philosophy of Praxis: An Anthology (1981) — Author — 21 copies
Church in Asia (1999) — Author — 21 copies
A Year with Mary, Daily Meditations (1987) — Author — 20 copies
John Paul II speaks to religious (1981) — Author — 19 copies
Servant of Truth: Messages of John Paul II, Volume II (1979) — Author — 18 copies, 1 review
Queridisimos Jovenes (1995) — Author — 18 copies, 2 reviews
John Paul II: Essays on religious freedom (1984) — Author — 18 copies
Faithfulness to the Gospel (1982) — Author — 17 copies
Mi Vision del Hombre (1997) — Author — 17 copies
I Believe in Youth, Christ Believes in Youth (1981) — Author — 15 copies, 1 review
France--message of peace, trust, love, and faith (1980) — Author — 15 copies
Testamento di Giovanni Paolo II (2000) — Author — 15 copies
Reasons for Hope: Daily Readings (2003) — Author — 15 copies
The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility (1990) — Author — 15 copies
Prayers of Pope John Paul II (1982) — Author — 14 copies
To the U. S. Bishops at Their Ad Ldmina Visita (1984) — Author — 14 copies
The Collected Plays and Writings on Theater (1987) — Author — 14 copies
Pilgrim to Poland (1979) — Author — 14 copies
Parole sull'uomo (1989) — Author — 14 copies
Pensieri di pace e di speranza (1992) — Author — 14 copies
Set Apart for Service (1982) — Author — 14 copies
El Hombre y su Destino (1995) — Author — 14 copies
On Our Pilgrimage to Eternity: 99 Sayings by John Paul II (2004) — Author — 13 copies, 1 review
Man in the Field of Responsibility (2002) — Author — 13 copies
Apostolic Exhortations (2005) — Author — 13 copies
Addresses and homilies given in Brazil (1980) — Author — 13 copies
Tutte le encicliche (1993) — Author — 12 copies
Purity of Heart: Reflections on Lust and Love (2004) — Author — 12 copies
Turkey, Ecumenical Pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II (1980) — Author — 12 copies
El don del amor : escritos sobre la familia (2000) — Author — 12 copies
Canada: Celebrating Our Faith (1985) — Author — 12 copies
Ireland, "In the footsteps of St. Patrick" (1979) — Author — 12 copies
The Freedom of Conscience and of Religion (1980) — Author — 11 copies
Encíclicas de Juan Pablo II (1993) — Author — 11 copies
The Way of Love (1995) — Author — 11 copies
Carissimi giovani (1995) — Author — 11 copies
Forgiveness (1999) — Author — 11 copies
Wonders and Signs: The Miracles of Jesus (1990) — Author — 11 copies
Abba Pater (1999) — Author — 11 copies
Puebla--a pilgrimage of faith (1979) — Author — 11 copies
You Are My Favorites (1980) — Author — 11 copies
Africa, apostolic pilgrimage (1980) — Author — 10 copies
Ad Limina Addresses (1984) — Author — 10 copies
Addresses and homilies given in West Germany (1980) — Author — 10 copies
Germany-pilgrimage of unity and peace (1981) — Author — 10 copies
The Many faces of Christ (2000) — Author — 10 copies
A priest forever (1981) — Author — 9 copies
Mi decálogo para el tercer milenio (1994) — Author — 9 copies
Poesie (1993) — Author — 9 copies
Mother of the Church (1987) — Author — 9 copies
Le mie preghiere (2002) — Author — 9 copies
Poezje =: Poems (1998) — Author — 9 copies
England Unity: God's Gracious Gift (1983) — Author — 8 copies
Juan Pablo II en España texto completo de todos los discursos (1982) — Author — 8 copies, 2 reviews
Max Scheler y la ética cristiana (1982) — Author — 8 copies
The New Rosary of the Virgin Mary (2003) — Author — 8 copies, 1 review
Pilgrim of Faith: Words of Inspiration (1987) — Author — 8 copies
Apostolic Letters (2005) — Author — 7 copies
Teologia do Corpo (2005) — Author — 7 copies
Pastor Bonus: For an Everlasting Memorial (1988) — Author — 7 copies, 1 review
On the Rapid Development of Communications (2005) — Author — 7 copies, 1 review
Ut unum sint y Orientale lumen (1901) — Author — 7 copies
Juan Pablo II; el papa prometido. — Author — 7 copies
Orar (Spanish Edition) (1998) — Author — 7 copies
Il Papa alle donne (1996) — Author — 7 copies
Juan Pablo II: Segunda Visita Pastoral a Mexico (1990) — Author — 7 copies, 1 review
Brazil: Journey in the light of the Eucharist (1980) — Author — 7 copies
Apostolic Constitutions (2005) — Author — 7 copies
Pray the Rosary with Saint John Paul II (2019) — Author — 7 copies
I fondamenti dell'ordine etico (1989) — Author — 7 copies
Profezia per l'Europa (1999) — Author — 7 copies
Giovanni Paolo II Ai Presbiteri e Diaconi (1994) — Author — 7 copies
Beloved Young People (1982) — Author — 6 copies
Prayers of the Blessed John Paul II to Our Lady (2011) — Author — 6 copies
Giovanni Paolo II e l'Europa — Author — 6 copies
The Rosary With the Pope — Narrator — 6 copies
Hermano de nuestro Dios. Esplendor de paternidad (1990) — Author — 6 copies
Portugal, message of Fatima (1983) — Author — 6 copies
The Pope of the Rosary (2000) — Author — 6 copies
Non uccidere in nome di Dio (2005) — Author — 6 copies
The Teachings of Pope John Paul II (1998) — Author — 6 copies
Pope John Paul II (Special Collector's Edition) (2004) — Author — 6 copies
IV Viaje Apostlico a Espaa (1993) — Author — 6 copies
Poesías (1982) — Author — 6 copies, 1 review
Pedra foguera : poemes (1980) — Author — 6 copies, 3 reviews
EL CELIBATO APOSTOLICO (1995) — Author — 6 copies
Give Your Life with Joy (1982) — Author — 6 copies
La redención del corazón (1996) — Author — 6 copies
Gust de pa : poemes (1981) — Author — 5 copies, 3 reviews
La Biblia de Juan Pablo II (2008) — Author — 5 copies, 1 review
Dramaty — Author — 5 copies
La fede della Chiesa (1978) — Author — 5 copies
Juan Pablo Ii En España Discursos Y Homilias (1985) — Author — 5 copies
The bread of life — Author — 5 copies
Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2002 (2002) — Author — 5 copies
Pope John Paul II speaks on women (2014) — Author — 5 copies
LECCIONES LUBLIN 2 BIBLIOTEC 46 PALABRA (2014) — Author — 5 copies
Lecciones De Lublin (2014) — Author — 5 copies
Pope John Paul on Hearing Confession — Author — 5 copies
ABREGE DE LA THEOLOGIE DU CORPS (2016) — Author — 4 copies
Santisima Trinidad (2000) — Author — 4 copies, 3 reviews
Jan Pawel II. Autobiografia (2002) — Author — 4 copies
Juan Pablo II y el orden social (1982) — Author — 4 copies
The way of prayer (1995) — Author — 4 copies
Spirituality of the Priesthood (2010) — Author — 4 copies
Pensamientos de Luz (Spanish Edition) (2005) — Author — 4 copies
CARTA A LOS SACERDOTES 1996 (2010) — Author — 4 copies
The Far East journey of peace and brotherhood (1981) — Author — 4 copies
The Rosary By His Holiness Pope John Paul II (1994) — Author — 4 copies
Il sapore del pane (1979) — Author — 4 copies
Les encycliques de Jean-Paul II (2005) — Author — 4 copies
Juan Pablo II a los laicos — Author — 4 copies
A Retreat with the Blessed John Paul II (2011) — Author — 4 copies
The Ideal of the Priesthood (1995) — Author — 3 copies
Cantad Al Señor Un Cantico Nuevo (2004) — Author — 3 copies
Catequesis sobre la família. (1994) — Author — 3 copies, 1 review
Viaje apostólico a extremo Oriente (1981) — Author — 3 copies
Divinus Perfectionis Magister (1983) — Author — 3 copies
La salmòdia de les laudes : setmana I (2002) — Author — 3 copies, 1 review
Innamorati di Cristo (2002) — Author — 3 copies
Scripturarum Thesaurus (1979) — Author — 3 copies
La Madonna nella parola di Giovanni Paolo II 1978-1980 — Author — 3 copies, 2 reviews
Dix Reperes Pour LAN 2000 (Spanish Edition) (1994) — Author — 3 copies
Maria: texto de Juan Pablo II — Author — 3 copies
Al sacerdocio — Author — 3 copies
Anioł Pański z papieżem Janem Pawłem II — Author — 3 copies, 1 review
Autumn Blessings: Living Old Age in Faith (1998) — Author — 3 copies
Parole da non dimenticare (2005) — Author — 3 copies
Twenty Five Years on: A Message for Today (2004) — Author — 3 copies
Pregherò per voi — Author — 3 copies
Die Botschaft der Psalmen: Mit dem Papst beten (2006) — Author — 3 copies
Paroles d'un pèlerin (1984) — Author — 3 copies
Les Grands Textes du pontificat (2004) — Author — 3 copies
Historia De Mi Vida (Spanish Edition) (2008) — Author — 3 copies
Gå ut og forkynn det glade budskap (1989) — Author — 3 copies
A Resposta está no Vento (1998) — Author — 3 copies
Fondare la Civilt dell'Amore — Author — 3 copies, 2 reviews
O przebaczeniu : myśli na nowe tysiąclecie (2001) — Author — 3 copies
St Therese Doctor of the Church — Author — 3 copies
Desde Santiago a los jóvenes del mundo (1989) — Author — 3 copies
To Priests for Holy Thursday 1999 — Author — 3 copies
Mission och dialog (1992) — Author — 3 copies
Encykliki Ojca Świętego Jana Pawła II (2016) — Author — 3 copies
Fratello nostro Dio (2018) — Author — 3 copies
Poezje, dramaty, szkice (2007) — Author — 3 copies
Mensaje a la Iglesia de Latinoamérica (MINOR) (1979) — Author — 3 copies
Giobbe ed altri inediti (1982) — Author — 3 copies
Påskvaka : ett urval dikter (1982) — Author — 3 copies
Che cosa ha detto il Papa sulle donne (1996) — Author — 3 copies
'Actitud ante la Humanae Vitae' (1990) — Author — 3 copies
Poezje Wybrane (1983) — Author — 3 copies
I miei amici — Author — 3 copies
La creación (2005) — Author — 3 copies
A New Hope for Lebanon (1997) — Author — 3 copies
El Misterio trinitario (1986) — Author — 2 copies, 1 review
France, que fais-tu de ton baptême ? (1980) — Author — 2 copies
Juan Pablo II y los derechos humanos (1982) — Author — 2 copies, 1 review
Il senso della vita : meditazioni sull'amore (2005) — Author — 2 copies
John Paul II The Pope's Challenge (1979) — Author — 2 copies
VIDA DE JESUS (2015) — Author — 2 copies
Une pensée par jour (2006) — Author — 2 copies
SOLEMNITATS A SANT PERE DE ROMA APLEC II — Author — 2 copies, 2 reviews
Nueva Evangelización (1990) — Author — 2 copies
Sangen om den skjulte Gud (1989) — Author — 2 copies
The Likeness of All Things: Collected Poems (2022) — Author — 2 copies
I Guds och människans tjänst (1989) — Author — 2 copies
Poezje i dramaty (1987) — Author — 2 copies
Palabras de Juan Pablo II en España (1982) — Author — 2 copies, 1 review
La fe de la iglesia (1979) — Author — 2 copies
Voyage en France (1980) — Author — 2 copies
Juan Pablo II Al Peru — Author — 2 copies
'A los mayores' — Author — 2 copies
Giovanni paolo II in sicilia — Author — 2 copies
Le chapelet du pape 121997 (1995) — Author — 2 copies
Le coeur de Jésus (1998) — Author — 2 copies
Heraldo de la paz (1979) — Author — 2 copies
Juan Pablo II y el mundo del trabajo (1982) — Author — 2 copies
Świadectwo oddania bez reszty — Author — 2 copies
Cincuenta palabras para el nuevo milenio (1998) — Author — 2 copies
Poezje poems Wojtyla (2011) — Author — 2 copies
A Celebration of Mass — Author — 2 copies
Pietra di luce : poesie (1979) — Author — 2 copies
Sabhayum Vishudhakurbanayum — Author — 2 copies
El evangelio del sufrimiento y la vida (1900) — Author — 2 copies
Discursos de Juan Pablo II en España (1982) — Author — 2 copies, 1 review
I have a dream — Author — 2 copies
Familia via ecclesiae (1-5-2) — Author — 2 copies
En esprit et en vérité (1980) — Author — 2 copies
Catechesi sulla sessualità — Author — 2 copies
A People of Life (2001) — Author — 2 copies
IV viaje apostólico a Polonia junio 1991 (1991) — Author — 2 copies
CD - Letter to the Youth — Author — 2 copies
The Four Tasks of the Family — Author — 2 copies
A Meditation on Givenness (1994) — Author — 2 copies
This is Your Mother — Author — 2 copies
La notte della luce. Pagine e omelie di Natale (2010) — Author — 2 copies
Los santos, angeles y los demonios (1986) — Author — 2 copies
Ett liv i bön : böner (2004) — Author — 2 copies
The Holy Eucharist — Author — 2 copies, 2 reviews
Palavra de João Paulo II aos bispos do Brasil (2003) — Author — 2 copies
Jan Paweł II o małżeństwie i rodzinie (1982) — Author — 2 copies
Juan Pablo II a los universitarios (1982) — Author — 2 copies
Polska 1999 : przemówienia i homilie (1999) — Author — 2 copies
Il sacerdote nel magistero di Giovanni Paolo II — Author — 2 copies, 2 reviews
Africa Land of Promise Land of Hope (1982) — Author — 2 copies
Le virt teologali. Le virt cardinali — Author — 2 copies
Gateway of Faith (1999) — Actor — 2 copies
Karol Woityla e il Sinodo dei Vescovi (1980) — Author — 2 copies
Youth Mass, St. Louis, MO — Author — 2 copies
Compendio della teologia del corpo (2017) — Author — 2 copies
Year of Faith with Blessed John Paul II (2012) — Author — 2 copies
In confidenza (2000) — Author — 2 copies
Czas misji (2002) — Author — 2 copies
A los enfermos — Author — 2 copies
La cultura y la educacin — Author — 2 copies
Blessings: A Multilingual (1994) — Author — 2 copies
The Social teaching of John Paul II (1987) — Author — 2 copies
Discorsi in Francia e all'Unesco 1980 — Author — 2 copies, 2 reviews
As Reflexões para o Ano 2000 — Author — 2 copies
Letter to Youth — Author — 2 copies
Alabanza A La Trinidad (2002) — Author — 2 copies
Discorsi nella Germania 1980 — Author — 2 copies
A catechesis on the Creed. — Author — 2 copies
Angeli e demoni (2005) — Author — 2 copies
Maestros de la verdad — Author — 1 copy
2: Dio uno e trino (1988) — Author — 1 copy
Io credo: catechesi del mercoledi (1986) — Author — 1 copy
Juan Pablo II y los jóvenes (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Viaje pastoral a África (1980) — Author — 1 copy
Viaje pastoral a Brasil (1980) — Author — 1 copy
El Credo. Tomo I El Padre creador — Author — 1 copy
Juan Pablo II y el sacerdocio (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Io credo nel Dio salvatore — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo 2. al mondo rurale (1994) — Author — 1 copy
3. El Papa habla de la confesion — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Desde El Corazon (2008) — Author — 1 copy
Mensajes a los venezolanos — Author — 1 copy
La dottrina sociale della Chiesa (2003) — Author — 1 copy
L'Uomo nel mondo — Author — 1 copy
Carta "Juventum Patris" als educadors cristians — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Ante el sufrimiento y la muerte — Author — 1 copy
Esperar Contra Toda Esperanza — Author — 1 copy
Noc wigilijna (2017) — Author — 1 copy
13. Carta y 21 mensajes a las mujeres — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Il mio giubileo (1999) — Author — 1 copy
Mensaje de Juan Pablo II al Peru — Author — 1 copy
Non ce paura senza speranza — Author — 1 copy
Odpowiem na twoje pytania — Author — 1 copy
Juan Pablo II en Bolivia: Mensajes — Author — 1 copy
Lettera sull'adorazione eucaristica (1999) — Author — 1 copy
Pāvests Jānis Pāvils II jauniešiem (2001) — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo 2. ai laici — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo 2. a Milano: i discorsi (1983) — Author — 1 copy
Enseñanzas del Papa sobre los mayores (1999) — Author — 1 copy
El Credo. Tomo IV/I La Iglesia — Author — 1 copy
JUAN PABLO II A LAS IGLESIAS DE ESPAÑA (1987) — Author — 1 copy
Viaje apostolico a centroamerica (1983) — Author — 1 copy
Mensajes de Juan Pablo II — Author — 1 copy
Dios te salve, María — Author — 1 copy
Viaje apostólico a Portugal (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Decenario al Dios desconocido — Author — 1 copy
Puebla. Palabras de Juan Pablo II. — Author — 1 copy
Catequesis sobre Jesucristo — Author — 1 copy
Poezje Zebrane (Polish Edition) (2003) — Author — 1 copy
MENSAJE A LOS CONSAGRADOS — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
En sintonía con el Papa (1985) — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Las oraciones de Juan Pablo II (1982) — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
María, soy todo tuyo — Author — 1 copy
Juan Pablo II en Centroamérica — Author — 1 copy
Lo que el Papa ha dicho sobre... — Author — 1 copy
Jubileo de la Redención — Author — 1 copy
Caminos de Reconciliación — Author — 1 copy
Campanas de San Pedro — Author — 1 copy
El papa nos habla de la "Humanae vitae" (1985) — Author — 1 copy
Pensamientos (1981) — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Sus oraciones a la Virgen (2005) — Author — 1 copy
La misión de Jesucristo (1990) — Author — 1 copy
Jesucristo salvador (1989) — Author — 1 copy
Ejercicios espirituales para jóvenes (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Teatro — Author — 1 copy
Che cosa ha detto il Papa sulla pace (1996) — Author — 1 copy
Staunend vor dem Menschen (2011) — Author — 1 copy
Trzy poematy — Author — 1 copy
Gracias : Meditaciones y oraciones (2005) — Author — 1 copy
La redención y el pecado (1987) — Author — 1 copy
El Papa nos habla desde Polonia — Author — 1 copy
Catequesis sobre los laicos — Author — 1 copy
Kościół (1988) — Author — 1 copy
Myśląc ojczyzna... — Author — 1 copy
Laudes con el Papa (2004) — Author — 1 copy
Palabras a los latinoamericanos — Author — 1 copy
Крипта. Избранная поэзия (1994) — Author — 1 copy
Palavras do Santo Padre ao Brasil — Author — 1 copy
Stanisław — Author — 1 copy
Sumienie prawe (2002) — Author — 1 copy
Nije dobro da čovjek bude sam — Author — 1 copy
Wierzę w Jezusa Chrystusa Odkupiciela (1992) — Author — 1 copy
Kochana młodzieży! (1997) — Author — 1 copy
Krzyż Zbawiciela (2010) — Author — 1 copy
Modlitwy i rozważania na każdy dzień roku (2005) — Author — 1 copy
Komentarz do Ewangelii (2011) — Author — 1 copy
W drodze do roku 2000 : katechezy papieskie (1999) — Author — 1 copy
Homilie i przemówienia okolicznościowe (2009) — Author — 1 copy
Mój Chrystus : myśli wybrane (2002) — Author — 1 copy
Kyrkan i det tredje årtusendet (2004) — Author — 1 copy
Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II: 62 (1983) — Author — 1 copy
Lettera ai sacerdoti — Author — 1 copy
La pace — Author — 1 copy
As Sete Lâmpadas da Santificação (2015) — Author — 1 copy
Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Catechesi Sugli Angeli — Author — 1 copy
Il papa all'ONU. Discorsi 1965, 1979, 1995 (1995) — Author — 1 copy
Katechezy maryjne (1998) — Author — 1 copy
Sacrament of Penance — Author — 1 copy
Sacrament of Marriage — Author — 1 copy
Do not go away sad... — Author — 1 copy
Christmas Midnight Mass — Author — 1 copy
St.Catherine of Siena (1980) — Author — 1 copy
Ecclesia in Urbe (Latin) — Author — 1 copy
Spirituali Militum Murae (Latin) — Author — 1 copy
Prayer and Carmel — Author — 1 copy
Homilies Speeches in the Holy Land — Author — 1 copy
St John Bosco — Author — 1 copy
Oni budowali na skale (2003) — Author — 1 copy
Eucharystia Sercem Kościoła — Author — 1 copy
Godzina różańca (2002) — Author — 1 copy
Jan Paweł II w Kolumbii (2018) — Author — 1 copy
Jan Paweł II w Ameryce Środkowej (2017) — Author — 1 copy
Różaniec Jana Pawła II — Author — 1 copy
Captivated by Him Who is Only Love — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Świat nie jest zamęt ... (2003) — Author — 1 copy
O miłosierdziu (2002) — Author — 1 copy
Dziesięcioro przykazań — Author — 1 copy
Ecclesia Dei and other Documents — Author — 1 copy
Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II: 61 (1983) — Author — 1 copy
Sotto gli occhi di Dio (2003) — Author — 1 copy
Ai Vescovi della Lombardia — Author — 1 copy
Vita di Cristo — Author — 1 copy
John Paul II African Addresses — Author — 1 copy
5 minuti con Dio (2005) — Author — 1 copy
A Igreja e a Verdade (1998) — Author — 1 copy
Il Papa ci parla — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo II a Napoli — Author — 1 copy
Il Vangelo di Giovanni Paolo II (2010) — Author — 1 copy
Aforismi (1-5-2) — Author — 1 copy
Selected Encyclicals (2026) — Author — 1 copy
Poland: Beneath the Cross of Christ (1986) — Author — 1 copy
Pope John Paul II - Pamphlets — Author — 1 copy
Message to all Lebanese — Author — 1 copy
Pope John Paul II Collector's Set [VHS] (1999) — Author — 1 copy
Sono con voi ! — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo II parla di Giovanni Paolo I. (1979) — Author — 1 copy
Giovanni Paolo II. Con Cristo nel mondo (2010) — Author — 1 copy
La mia croce (2012) — Author — 1 copy
Messaggi di pace e di solidarietà (2005) — Author — 1 copy
365 giorni con il papa del coraggio (2011) — Author — 1 copy
I discorsi del Papa ai giovani — Author — 1 copy
Cari piccoli amici (1995) — Author — 1 copy
La Bibbia di Giovanni Paolo 2. (2007) — Author — 1 copy
EUROPA — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
In ogni lavoro collaboriamo con Dio (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Sia Pace! (2005) — Author — 1 copy
L'ora del Rosario (1993) — Author — 1 copy
La Chiesa è comunità di misericordia (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Scelti tra gli uomini per gli uomini (2019) — Author — 1 copy
La famiglia è l'avvenire dell'umanità (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Giovani siete il sale, siete la luce (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Una politica per l'uomo (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Maria sei regina dell'universo (2019) — Author — 1 copy
Act of Entrusting to Our Lady — Author — 1 copy
Wykłady lubelskie — Author — 1 copy
Addressed by the Supreme Pontiff — Author — 1 copy
Human Rights — Author — 1 copy
"And from that hour" — Author — 1 copy
Brazil Journey in the Light of the Eucharist (1980) — Author — 1 copy
Juan Pablo II en el Peru — Author — 1 copy
Messages of John Paul II — Author — 1 copy
This is Human Work (1982) — Author — 1 copy
The Theme of Violence — Author — 1 copy
The Holy Father speaks to youth — Author — 1 copy
Papal Blessing With — Author — 1 copy
À tous les jeunes du monde (1985) — Author — 1 copy
Der Rosenkranz — Author — 1 copy
Tutte le poesie — Author — 1 copy
A Pedreira e Outros Poemas — Author — 1 copy
Esposos, amigos del Esposo — Author — 1 copy
The Quarry (2009) — Author — 1 copy
La fede dalla chiesa (1978) — Author — 1 copy
Discorsi al popolo di Dio 1976-1978 (1978) — Author — 1 copy
Gedichte von Karol Wojtyła — Author — 1 copy
A mi Urunk testvére (1991) — Author — 1 copy
Osoba a miłość — Author — 1 copy
Godność. Antologia tekstów — Author — 1 copy
Der Kreuzweg Betrachtungen (1982) — Author — 1 copy
Pope John Paul II : mga tula — Author — 1 copy
PRIONS ENSEMBLE ! (2014) — Author — 1 copy
Von der Königswürde des Menschen (1979) — Author — 1 copy
Marie, ma Mère (1985) — Author — 1 copy
Pesem o neizcrpanem soncu — Author — 1 copy
UN MESSAGE D'AMOUR (JEAN-PAUL II) (1987) — Author — 1 copy
Appeal for Peace — Author — 1 copy
New Life in Christ — Author — 1 copy
Viaje pastoral a Alemania (1981) — Author — 1 copy
Rosary — Author — 1 copy
Czyńcie to na moją pamiątkę — Author — 1 copy
The Gospel of Luke — Author — 1 copy
La théologie du corps (2014) — Author — 1 copy
la parole de dieu t.35 (2000) — Author — 1 copy
Le Sacrement du pardon (2004) — Author — 1 copy
Les Prières de Jean-Paul II — Author — 1 copy
Jeunes de l'an 2000, l'avenir vous appartient (1991) — Author — 1 copy
Nous nous souvenons - Réflexion sur la Shoah (1998) — Author — 1 copy
Appel à tous à la sainteté — Author — 1 copy
Prières en poche (2011) — Author — 1 copy
Souffrir avec le Christ (1998) — Author — 1 copy
Mes prières pour chaque jour de l'année (1995) — Author — 1 copy
Woorden van troost, hoop en inspiratie (1995) — Author — 1 copy
Die Worte seines Lebens — Author — 1 copy
Den heliga Birgitta - Europas skyddshelgon (2003) — Author — 1 copy
Gewissen der Welt (2002) — Author — 1 copy

Associated Works

The Sources of Catholic Dogma (1854) — Contributor, some editions — 699 copies, 15 reviews
The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art (1982) — Foreword — 446 copies, 1 review
The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (1993) — Contributor, some editions — 250 copies
Vice: An Anthology (1993) — Contributor — 40 copies
Theories of the Labor Movement (1987) — Contributor — 8 copies
Banneux: The Virgin of the Poor (1999) — Contributor — 2 copies
Fatima [1984 film] — Character — 1 copy

Tagged

biography (119) Catholic (550) Catholic Church (191) Catholicism (585) Christianity (340) Church Documents (238) Encyclical (364) Encyclicals (285) Italian (90) John Paul II (1,800) magistero (199) marriage (121) non-fiction (309) Papal Documents (170) Papal Encyclicals (99) Papal Writings (269) philosophy (206) poetry (151) Pope (235) Popes (562) prayer (214) Priesthood (101) religion (940) Saints (211) spirituality (213) St. John Paul II (95) Theology (899) Theology of the Body (90) to-read (174) vocation (124)

Common Knowledge

Canonical name
John Paul II, Pope
Legal name
Wojtyla, Karol Józef
Birthdate
1920-05-18
Date of death
2005-04-02
Gender
male
Education
Angelicum Institute (Ph.D | 1948)
Catholic University of Lublin (D.S.Th.|1954)
Jagiellonian University (hab. 1953)
Occupations
Pope
priest
bishop
Catholic priest (ordained 1946)
Bishop of Rome (1978-2005)
Titular Bishop of Ombi (1958-1964) (show all 7)
Archbishop of Krakow (1964-1978)
Organizations
Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
Awards and honors
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004)
Time Magazine, Man of the Year (1994)
Charlemagne Prize (2004|extraordinary prize)
Relationships
Pope John Paul I (predecessor|1978-1978)
Pope Benedict XVI (successor|2005-2013)
Short biography
Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), sometimes called Blessed John Paul or John Paul the Great, born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005), was Pope from 16 October 1978 to his death in 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in history and, as a Pole, the first non-Italian since Pope Adrian VI, who died in 1523.
Nationality
Poland
Vatican City
Birthplace
Wadowice, Poland
Places of residence
Rome, Italy
Place of death
Vatican City
Burial location
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Map Location
Poland

Members

Discussions

Worst case of "Like Recognizes Like" Ever. in Pro and Con (December 2025)
The call for Christian Rationalism in Emerging Church (February 2021)
Pope John Paul II Faith and Reason in Faith and Reason (January 2017)
Vatican panel clears Pope John Paul II for sainthood in Catholic Tradition (July 2014)

Reviews

408 reviews
𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬: 𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢 𝐝𝐢 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚.

Rileggere oggi la 𝐿𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑚 𝐸𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑠, l’enciclica che Giovanni Paolo II firmò nel 1981 in occasione del novantesimo anniversario della 𝑅𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑢𝑚, produce un effetto straniante. La sua show more insistenza sul primato del lavoro sul capitale, sulla dignità di chi lavora, sulla necessità di salari giusti e di tutele sindacali, risuona oggi quasi come un manifesto riformatore. Riletta ora, dopo 45 anni, questa dimensione del suo magistero emerge con tutta la sua forza.
E in fondo non stupisce, conoscendo la biografia di Karol Wojtyla. Prima di diventare sacerdote, il giovane Karol lavorò come operaio alla Solvay di Cracovia, durante gli anni dell’occupazione nazista. Quella stagione segnò la sua sensibilità verso il mondo del lavoro come esperienza vissuta sulla propria pelle, tra turni, fatica e compagni di reparto. Si dice che da Papa si fosse ripromesso di visitare una fabbrica ogni anno, per non perdere mai quel contatto con la realtà concreta del lavoro. L’enciclica, in questo senso, non è solo un documento teologico: è anche la restituzione intellettuale di un’esperienza personale.
Colpisce in particolare quanto la visione wojtyliana del lavoro sia vicina allo spirito dell’articolo 1 della Costituzione italiana e quanto sia distante, invece, dalla logica del profitto come fine supremo. Per Wojtyla il lavoro non è merce: è l’espressione più propria della persona umana, e nessuna logica di mercato può ridurlo a variabile di bilancio. Il capitale è strumento, non padrone. È ciò che avvicina a Dio, quel dio della Creazione, che appare lavoratore nel libro della Genesi.
Le critiche al materialismo, sia quello marxista che quello liberale, ci sono, ma risultano sorprendentemente sobrie, quasi trattenute. Ben più accese sono invece le pagine dedicate allo sfruttamento del lavoratore, alla concentrazione del potere economico, all’ingiustizia salariale.
Al centro di tutto c’è una distinzione che rimane il cuore speculativo dell’enciclica: l’uomo come soggetto del lavoro, mai come suo oggetto. Wojtyla aveva in mente le catene di montaggio, l’operaio ingranaggio. Ma la categoria è straordinariamente attuale: oggi l’uomo non è più oggetto della catena di montaggio, ma dei meccanismi di sfruttamento delle grandi piattaforme e delle multinazionali il cui fatturato supera il PIL di interi Stati. Il rider, il magazziniere di un colosso dell’e-commerce, il lavoratore in subappalto a cottimo: sono tutte figure che l’enciclica non può conoscere, ma che la sua antropologia del lavoro descrive comunque con precisione.
Resta però un limite importante, figlio del suo tempo ma impossibile da non notare. Il trattamento del lavoro femminile è segnato da una visione che oggi stentiamo a riconoscere come paritetica: la donna è evocata soprattutto nel ruolo di madre e custode della casa, e il lavoro domestico — pur valorizzato — è separato dal lavoro tout court, con un tentativo di equiparazione. È un punto cieco che negli anni Ottanta era ancora culturalmente accettabile, ma che oggi rende alcune pagine difficili da leggere senza disagio.
Eppure il paradosso più grande rimane quello di fondo: Wojtyla era, a tutti gli effetti, un conservatore. Lo era nella teologia, nella morale, nella politica ecclesiastica. Eppure riletto oggi appare su posizioni che nell’Italia e nell’Europa di oggi verrebbero collocate senza esitazione a sinistra dello spettro politico. Questo cortocircuito non dice tanto qualcosa su Giovanni Paolo II, quanto su di noi e sul tempo che viviamo. 𝐿𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑚 𝐸𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑠 è un ulteriore specchio impietoso della nostra epoca.
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Two cultures oppose each other. On one side stands the "culture of death," a culture grounded on the idea that life is an accident of time and space, that life and death are equally devoid of value, and that self-actualization is the highest good — even if that requires the sacrifice of life. On the other side stands the "culture of life," a culture grounded on the belief that life is a gift and duty bestowed by God, that life bears eternal value over death, and that the nurturing of life show more is the highest good — even if that requires the sacrifice of self.

These are the terms laid out in Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Evangelium Vitae," or "The Gospel of Life." Non-Catholic readers will find themselves filtering out uniquely Catholic artifacts, such as the entire conclusion which boils down to an encomium of devotion to Mary. The discerning Protestant reader will often detect the Magisterium's claim to interpret Scripture with full and final authority rather than the other way around.

There are also tough ethical topics which require further thought. For example, John Paul II argues that euthanasia is unacceptable in part because it denies the sanctifying power of suffering, yet he also concedes that palliation is acceptable. If we deny a right to die based on intolerable and terminal suffering, and we deny it on the grounds that suffering is never hopeless but is rather a channel of sanctifying grace, should we not refuse palliative care on the grounds that we're limiting the divine power of that suffering? Similar conundrums could be posed to the Church's opposition to chemical contraception on the one hand and its promotion of "conception avoidance" through natural planning methods on the other, when consistency would seem to dictate that any attempt to "avoid life" is out of bounds.

However, there will always be thorny ethical dilemmas at the shadowy nexus of life and death. All of this is outweighed by the encyclical's powerful promotion of a holistic and all-encompassing love for human life in all its stages, including the middle bits that pro-life advocates sometimes overlook. I doubt there exists a more tightly-written defense of life in our contemporary context, and it should strike the conscience of anyone who finds his or her moral sense dulled by the sheer weight of modernity and the overwhelming power of the "culture of death." I recommend this to any reader who wants to be confronted by and renewed to an appreciation that each human life is beautiful, valuable, and inviolable in dignity — from very beginning to very end, and at every precious stage along the journey.
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When Mehmet Ali Ağca gunned down Pope John Paul II, the Pope was halfway through a five-year series of exegetical reflections on a theology of the human body. There’s some irony in the fact that the pope was shot nearly to death while entering St. Peter’s Square to deliver the next installment: “Marriage and Celibacy in the Light of the Resurrection of the Body.”

John Paul II, of course, survived to finish his work, a painstaking analysis of biblical teaching on the purpose and show more meaning of the human body in its masculinity and femininity. And when I say painstaking, I mean he took pains. For those who see value in deep biblical exegesis, the force of John Paul II’s addresses contrasts favorably with the current pope’s, whose most recent General Audience on the badness of consumerism and the goodness of ecology and the beauty of everyone getting along had all the magisterial power of a Hallmark card.

To be sure, the Protestant reader (such as yours truly) will steer around some Catholic rocks, most notably in the Roman church’s determination to turn everything into a sacrament. I’m not likely to build any of my own sermons around reflections from Tobit, and more conservative theologians will bristle at John Paul II’s acceptance of the canons of higher criticism in Genesis and Isaiah.

All that being acknowledged, I thought the former pope’s exegesis was thoughtful and precise with much to recommend it. Beginning with Christ’s words in the Gospels, John Paul II draws from Genesis a theology of the body in which the differentiation and marital union of male and female reflect the eternal union of the Trinity. Marriage is the willing and total gift of one self to another, a sign below of the Godhead’s communion above.

John Paul II contrasts this with the “threefold concupiscence” of 1 John 2:16, the spirit of the fallen world which takes rather than gives, choosing power and domination rather than the mutual and joyful submission Paul urges in Ephesians 5. In this context of concupiscence, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers a redemptive anthropology in opposition to the dehumanizing philosophers of the modern age.

Among these philosophers, the Freudian holds the lust of the flesh as the central anthropological truth. The Marxist elevates the lust of the eyes to a world-historical principle. The Nietzschean sees nothing in the heart of man other than the pride of life. In contrast to these latter-day prophets of domineering concupiscence, Christ calls us away from this unnatural state and back to our true destiny: loving communion with each other and eternal union with God.

With due allowance for Catholic shadings, I found the pope’s exegesis thought-provoking and impressive. I appreciated his serious approach to Scripture which, though still freighted with Catholic concepts in significant points, remains largely free of appeals to patristic tradition or papal decrees. John Paul II even gives an approving nod in Martin Luther’s direction in his exposition of Ephesians 5, so I’m willing to give at least a passing nod back in his direction.
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This short book was insightful, and difficult. It's hard to tell if St. John Paul the great agrees with me on all political issues, or if that is just my very biases reading of it. We look to see if the need for human freedom is wrapped up in the social teachings of the Church. Socialism is evil but so is capitalism. It seems like a market economy is clearly good for human kind but it must be directed to help the most people and not be driven only by profit.

One thing that did catch me here show more is St. John Paul's use of the phrase "real socialism" most self-described socialists I know use this phrase to refer to some sort of ideal/imaginary system that hasn't' actually been tried, while St. John Paul use this phrase, including the quotes, to refer to the failure of the state run economy of the USSR. show less

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Associated Authors

Vittorio Messori Editor, Foreword
Jean Beyer Editor
Thomas Paul Thigpen Editor, Author
Donald W. Wuerl Foreword, Preface
Sam Torode Editor
Giovanni Reale Foreword, Introduction, Editor
Joseph Ratzinger Introduction
Greg Burke Editor
Pierre Eyt Introduction
Carlo Maria Martini Foreword, Author, Afterword
John Vessels Foreword
Max Polak Editor
Saverio Gaeta Editor, Introduction
Silvio Oddi Foreword
Antonio Delogu Introduction
Paul VI Author
Antonio Angonese Translator
Armando Rigobello Introduction, Editor
Anna Maria Canopi Contributor
Max Thurian Contributor
Angelo Sodano Foreword
Carmelo Giarratana Introduction
Dionigi Tettamanzi Foreword, Introduction
Yves Semen Editor
Stanisaw Dziwisz Introduction
Borełsaw Taborski Introduction
Roger Etchegaray Editor, Foreword
Pietro Palazzini Introduction
Raymond J. Lahey Introduction
Paulo VI Author
Jan Jarco Editor, Translator
Vittoriano Rastelli Photographer
Paulus VI Author
Paolo VI Author
Sean Brady Foreword
Giampaolo Crepaldi Introduction
Ewa Partyga Translator
Krzysztof Dybciak Afterword, Editor
Jorge Molinero Introduction
Claude Dagens Introduction
Rik Balkin Editor
ekstrmperpaul Translator
Sergio Lanza Contributor
Franco Miano Foreword
Emile Marcus Introduction
Ada Szub Editor
Ryszard Rzepecki Photographer
Pio XI Author
Luigi Negri Introduction
Gérard Defois Introduction
Francesco Marinelli Introduction
Donal Murray Foreword
Paul Poupard Foreword
Adam Bujak Photographer
Lars Cavallin Translator
Giulia Orecchia Illustrator
Peter Fitz Editor
Péter Erdő Foreword
Éva Koncz Editor
Janusz Kawecki Introduction
Hilkka Pekkanen Translator
Walter Zięmba Translator
Michael Waldstein Introduction
Leslie Wearne Translator
Grazyna Miller Translator
John White Introduction
Pilar Ferrer Translator, Editor
Gabriella Buzzi Translator
Elias Yanes Foreword
Krakar Lojze Translator
Franco Cajani Introduction
Piero Edmondo Galli Introduction
Antonio Setola Translator
Angelo Comastri Introduction
Elvio Becheroni Illustrator
Clarisse Tavares Translator
Tadeusz Nowak Introduction
Luciano Mendyk Translator
John Vitek Editor
Bruno Saetti Illustrator
Martha McPhee Translator
Jenny McPhee Translator
kirwanj Translator
Lidia LIGĘZA Translator
J. R. Foster Translator
Jordan Aumann Translator
Alan Neame Translator
Giacomo Perico Contributor
Masamba Ma Mpolo Contributor
Michele Guy Contributor
Gustave Martelet Contributor
Jack Dominian Contributor
Giorgio Campanini Contributor
Charles Vella Contributor
François Guy Contributor
Anna Carbone Translator
A. F. Mascarenhas Contributor
Grzegorz Galazka Photographer
Theresa Sandok Translator
Elzbieta Cywiak Translator
Juan Gil Aguilar Translator
Renzo Panzone Translator
Juan Pérez-Soba Introduction

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