Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life: The Pope I Knew So Well

by Caroline Pigozzi

This behind-the-scenes perspective offers a unique opportunity to experience Pope John Paul II's character and reign, as well as a look at the inner workings of the Vatican. French journalist Caroline Pigozzi discovered a man both awe-inspiring and surprisingly warm and generous. Passionately prayerful and unimpressed by pomp and celebrity, John Paul II was the most-traveled and perhaps the most popular of the popes to date: a people's pope. Pigozzi reveals the intimate details of his daily life, his sometimes surprising philosophies, his revolutionary desire for accessibility to ordinary people, and his relentless drive to unify the church. This book unveils, in a friendly and richly informative way, a close-up of the man whose "eyes radiated infinite goodness" and whose life touched so many.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2000

Reviews

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendously inspiring and moving read about our beloved Pope John Paul II. The impact he made on the world is profound. For those who are Catholic this is a must read.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about the Papacy, but I don't think it lived up to its subtitle "The Pope I Knew So Well". I was expecting a book that told me about who John Paul II was, what made him tick, what he liked, what he didn't like, what kind of jokes he told, or laughed at. Since the subtiled said the author knew him well, I expected stories he told her, advice he gave her, snippets of conversation between them or copies of letters. In short, I thought that I would have a better feel for who JPII was, but while I picked up a few interesting tidbits, for the most part, what I have is a book about how JPII's papacy worked. We learn about who is advisors were, the names of the nuns who kept house for him, and about the logistical nightmares his world tours caused. We learn that papal visits are expensive, and that corporations often picked up most of the tab. We learn how the author, a journalist, worked her way into the circle that had access to the Pope. We learn of the Pope's daily routine and what he did when he vacationed. I just wish we learned more about the Holy Father himself.

[Adam Klukiewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was wonderful because i never learned so much about the Vatican in one chapter. I really admired how the author captured every moment whether it was a minute or an hour with John Paul II. I also liked how she wasn't afraid to show her opinion on every confrontation which she under went in this book.

[Ian Lindstrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book clearly was not for me. I was going for more of a historical work on the Pope; his past, politics, habits, & interactions in the context of The Church & world at large. Rather, the book read like an entertainment piece & I found it impossible to stay focused as the writer jumped from trivial details to important topics; the white calfskin journal kept near the black leather journal & the fact the Pope wouldn't eat spaghetti in public (but in private he would use a large napkin) stuck in between tidbits about JPII's childhood & noble family rivalries. It could be a result of the writer's journalistic background, but it makes the book difficult to read & not skim friendly (I tried).
Unless you are very into everything Pope John Paul II & don't mind more of a news-piece-esque work, this probably shouldn't be your first or second choice.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the book is fascinating: A French woman journalist manages to break into the inner sanctum of the Vatican to see what the day-to-day life of the "People's Pope" is like. At times a bit long on minutiae, she nevertheless manages to capture the personality and presence of one of the most beloved religious leaders of all time.

[Joann Glasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book/ learned an awful lot of his kife and experiences