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Paul VI: The First Modern Pope
Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Montini, ranks among the most influential figures in the modern history of the Roman Catholic Church. When he was elected pope in 1963, he faced the awesome responsibility of guiding the Church through the conclusion of the historic Second Vatican Council. With the Council behind him, an overarching challenge shepherding the Catholic communion during the turbulent aftermath of Vatican II - the aftershocks of which are being felt throughout the Church to this very day.
Peter Hebblethwaite succinctly characterizes the pontificate of Paul "He managed to complete the Council without dividing the Church. He reformed the Roman Curia without alienating it. He introduced collegiality without ever letting it undermine his papal office. He practised ecumenism without impairing Catholic identity. He had an Ostpolitik that involved neither surrender nor bouncing aggressivity. He was 'open to the world' without ever being its dupe. He pulled off the most difficult trick of combining openness with fidelity."
Yet, the life of Paul VI encompassed more than the fifteen years of his papacy. His biographer devotes nearly as many chapters to the time preceding Paul's pontificate as he does to his years as pope. Montini's personal experiences coupled with the tumultuous events of his time gave shape and purpose to the activities and judgments of a pope beset by the challenges of modernity. His anti-Fascist crusade as a young priest; the talents, know-how, and contacts he developed during three decades of service in the Vatican Secretariat of State; the terrorist bombing of his residence while he was archbishop of Milan; the devastation of two World Wars; the stripping away of people's religious freedom at the hands of oppressive regimes - all this helped to define Paul VI.
With such a past, his future had to be a matter of consequence. And it was - amid open, productive ecumenical dialogue; as dissident voices were raised against his teaching on contraception; in a world made smaller by his efforts on behalf of human rights; amid criticism from left and right as he sought to move the Church forward; as he stood before the United Nations urging peace.
With candor and compelling narrative, Hebblethwaite furnishes his readers with a rare understanding of a misunderstood man, a controversial pope.
Peter Hebblethwaite succinctly characterizes the pontificate of Paul "He managed to complete the Council without dividing the Church. He reformed the Roman Curia without alienating it. He introduced collegiality without ever letting it undermine his papal office. He practised ecumenism without impairing Catholic identity. He had an Ostpolitik that involved neither surrender nor bouncing aggressivity. He was 'open to the world' without ever being its dupe. He pulled off the most difficult trick of combining openness with fidelity."
Yet, the life of Paul VI encompassed more than the fifteen years of his papacy. His biographer devotes nearly as many chapters to the time preceding Paul's pontificate as he does to his years as pope. Montini's personal experiences coupled with the tumultuous events of his time gave shape and purpose to the activities and judgments of a pope beset by the challenges of modernity. His anti-Fascist crusade as a young priest; the talents, know-how, and contacts he developed during three decades of service in the Vatican Secretariat of State; the terrorist bombing of his residence while he was archbishop of Milan; the devastation of two World Wars; the stripping away of people's religious freedom at the hands of oppressive regimes - all this helped to define Paul VI.
With such a past, his future had to be a matter of consequence. And it was - amid open, productive ecumenical dialogue; as dissident voices were raised against his teaching on contraception; in a world made smaller by his efforts on behalf of human rights; amid criticism from left and right as he sought to move the Church forward; as he stood before the United Nations urging peace.
With candor and compelling narrative, Hebblethwaite furnishes his readers with a rare understanding of a misunderstood man, a controversial pope.
749 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1993
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November 2, 2017
This is an excellent biography in many respects. At 710 pages not counting the Appendices it is a monumental work, which covers the life of the late Giovanni Baptista Montini, Blessed Paul VI, Pope. It is a challenging read even for those who have grown-up with the Catholic Church. For example, I never dreamed there were so many Cardinals—and over ½ of them are Italian! Finally I just gave up trying to keep track of the names, titles and offices. I am indebted to the author for the sheer volume of information he has amassed as well as the many side excursions he inspired me to take while I was reading Paul VI: The First Modern Pope. My admiration for his achievement almost makes me want to stop this review now, without any reservations. Almost. And yet, part of me wonders if that is why he wrote such a tome, so it could be the last word on Paul...
However, despite all I learned about Church history during the 20th century, Vatican II and many other subjects, I still must confess I didn’t come to know Montini, the man—which was my reason for reading this book—better as a result of it. Perhaps no book exists which will introduce me to him in quite the way I desire. And yet, toward the end of his life, Paul had a young Irish secretary, Fr. John Magee, who (as a much older man now) has made a Lighthouse Media CD on the Untold Stories of the Last Three Popes”. It was listening to that, the excellent 2008 movie, Paul VI The Pope in the Tempest, and a story my pastor told about Blessed Paul which inspired my desire to come to know more about this quiet, gentle man who never wanted to be pope. Magee spoke movingly of these men, but especially of Blessed Paul. The movie is one of my favorites and the story of my pastor revealed such a tender heart that I can’t help but believe there has to be a better, more intimate biography out there.
As for Hebblethwaite’s bio, it ended abruptly with Paul’s dying words. There is nothing about his funeral, legacy, or successors, especially with respect to their combination of Pope John’s name and Paul’s, which spoke volumes to the entire world. That was disappointing to say the least. And I did not appreciate all the conjecture. Mr. Hebblethwaite made statements about Pope Paul’s motives, feelings and rationale, which he had no way of knowing one way or another. They were usually good guesses but he made them sound like they were facts when there could just as easily been other motives, feelings and rationale unknown to him.
One last thing. At first the author seemed good at explaining theological issues which arose over the course of Paul’s long life, and yet, as I went along I began to have the uneasy feeling that if these issues were complex enough to lead to controversy in their day, how was it that Mr. Hebblethwaite was able to understand them so easily, explain them in little more than a paragraph or two, and devote most of the text to the personality clashes?
Other readers might appreciate Hebblethwaite’s gossipy style more that I did. We are not all reading for the same reasons. Also, some of my criticisms might not matter to other readers as much as they did to me. Below are listed things I discovered and liked about the book. It is recommended with some reservations.
October 28, 2017: Ministeria quaedam may well be the least known papal document there is and yet it affects modern Catholics more than so many others. I was so excited when I read about this in Hebblethwaite's book, I had to stop this book, look it up and read it. So, okay, he does drive me crazy with some of his opinions, but he is teaching me a lot too.
October 15, 2017: In this biography on Pope Paul—Giovanni Baptista Montini—Hebblethwaite makes reference to the biography of St. John XXIII, Pope John XXIII: Shepherd of the Modern World, he has written. Ordinarily I find that rather annoying—as it sounds like an author taking the opportunity to sell another book. Not so here. Hebblethwaite just knows both popes and the many ways and times their lives intersected and it only seems to add interest as if hearing a tidbit from an old friend.
As this book is literally the weight and thickness of a brick and reads like a mini-course in papal history of the mid-20th century and Vatican II, including the theological issues of the era, I am not making fast progress, so thought I would jot down a few thoughts/impressions so far:
• Italian politics impacted the Vatican and therefore the Church far more than I ever realized. This was especially so during WWII.
• The real value in reading such a comprehensive biography is that you get to see the complexity of the person. And even so, he is still a mystery. Hebblethwaite shows how Montini’s critics have tried over the years to dismiss him as liberal or conservative, as Pope Pius or Saint John’s ‘man’, as a ‘diplomat’ or ‘sickly’. And yet even the author, who has made such a detailed study of this life, often can only speculate on Paul’s true motive in a particular situation.
• To truly understand any papal document requires so much more than just reading the actual document, especially the older ones. As a minimum, investigate its contextual history, determine its purpose, who the key drivers were, what and how it was received, both short- and long-term. This is not to discourage anyone from reading these, but it has become clear from seeing all that transpires how complicated the entire process is.
• There were a few pivotal moments during Vatican II which affected the whole course of the council. One of these was a summit meeting on Wednesday, 23 October, 1963 when Cardinal Suenens spoke up for the laity; urging that the document they were drafting should bring out the charismatic and well as the ministerial role of the church, stress the role of ‘prophets’ as those who inspire people to live the Gospel. And he recommended that since charisms undoubtedly exist in the Church, they needed to be represented at the Council and women should also be included in their number for “unless I’m mistaken, women made one half of the world’s population”.
However, despite all I learned about Church history during the 20th century, Vatican II and many other subjects, I still must confess I didn’t come to know Montini, the man—which was my reason for reading this book—better as a result of it. Perhaps no book exists which will introduce me to him in quite the way I desire. And yet, toward the end of his life, Paul had a young Irish secretary, Fr. John Magee, who (as a much older man now) has made a Lighthouse Media CD on the Untold Stories of the Last Three Popes”. It was listening to that, the excellent 2008 movie, Paul VI The Pope in the Tempest, and a story my pastor told about Blessed Paul which inspired my desire to come to know more about this quiet, gentle man who never wanted to be pope. Magee spoke movingly of these men, but especially of Blessed Paul. The movie is one of my favorites and the story of my pastor revealed such a tender heart that I can’t help but believe there has to be a better, more intimate biography out there.
As for Hebblethwaite’s bio, it ended abruptly with Paul’s dying words. There is nothing about his funeral, legacy, or successors, especially with respect to their combination of Pope John’s name and Paul’s, which spoke volumes to the entire world. That was disappointing to say the least. And I did not appreciate all the conjecture. Mr. Hebblethwaite made statements about Pope Paul’s motives, feelings and rationale, which he had no way of knowing one way or another. They were usually good guesses but he made them sound like they were facts when there could just as easily been other motives, feelings and rationale unknown to him.
One last thing. At first the author seemed good at explaining theological issues which arose over the course of Paul’s long life, and yet, as I went along I began to have the uneasy feeling that if these issues were complex enough to lead to controversy in their day, how was it that Mr. Hebblethwaite was able to understand them so easily, explain them in little more than a paragraph or two, and devote most of the text to the personality clashes?
Other readers might appreciate Hebblethwaite’s gossipy style more that I did. We are not all reading for the same reasons. Also, some of my criticisms might not matter to other readers as much as they did to me. Below are listed things I discovered and liked about the book. It is recommended with some reservations.
October 28, 2017: Ministeria quaedam may well be the least known papal document there is and yet it affects modern Catholics more than so many others. I was so excited when I read about this in Hebblethwaite's book, I had to stop this book, look it up and read it. So, okay, he does drive me crazy with some of his opinions, but he is teaching me a lot too.
October 15, 2017: In this biography on Pope Paul—Giovanni Baptista Montini—Hebblethwaite makes reference to the biography of St. John XXIII, Pope John XXIII: Shepherd of the Modern World, he has written. Ordinarily I find that rather annoying—as it sounds like an author taking the opportunity to sell another book. Not so here. Hebblethwaite just knows both popes and the many ways and times their lives intersected and it only seems to add interest as if hearing a tidbit from an old friend.
As this book is literally the weight and thickness of a brick and reads like a mini-course in papal history of the mid-20th century and Vatican II, including the theological issues of the era, I am not making fast progress, so thought I would jot down a few thoughts/impressions so far:
• Italian politics impacted the Vatican and therefore the Church far more than I ever realized. This was especially so during WWII.
• The real value in reading such a comprehensive biography is that you get to see the complexity of the person. And even so, he is still a mystery. Hebblethwaite shows how Montini’s critics have tried over the years to dismiss him as liberal or conservative, as Pope Pius or Saint John’s ‘man’, as a ‘diplomat’ or ‘sickly’. And yet even the author, who has made such a detailed study of this life, often can only speculate on Paul’s true motive in a particular situation.
• To truly understand any papal document requires so much more than just reading the actual document, especially the older ones. As a minimum, investigate its contextual history, determine its purpose, who the key drivers were, what and how it was received, both short- and long-term. This is not to discourage anyone from reading these, but it has become clear from seeing all that transpires how complicated the entire process is.
• There were a few pivotal moments during Vatican II which affected the whole course of the council. One of these was a summit meeting on Wednesday, 23 October, 1963 when Cardinal Suenens spoke up for the laity; urging that the document they were drafting should bring out the charismatic and well as the ministerial role of the church, stress the role of ‘prophets’ as those who inspire people to live the Gospel. And he recommended that since charisms undoubtedly exist in the Church, they needed to be represented at the Council and women should also be included in their number for “unless I’m mistaken, women made one half of the world’s population”.
August 25, 2025
Peter Hebblethwaite’s Pope Paul VI: The First Modern Pope is an exceptional and insightful biography that offers a vivid portrait of one of the most transformative figures in modern Catholicism. Hebblethwaite combines meticulous scholarship with an engaging narrative style, making the book both informative and highly readable. He delves deeply into the complexities of Paul VI’s character, revealing a man of profound intellect, humility, and moral courage who navigated the Church through one of its most turbulent eras.
The book excels in contextualizing Paul VI’s papacy within the social, political, and theological upheavals of the 20th century. Hebblethwaite captures the pope’s efforts to implement the reforms of Vatican II, his diplomatic finesse, and his commitment to peace and social justice. Readers gain an appreciation for Paul VI’s human side—his struggles, doubts, and moments of quiet heroism—which makes the narrative both compelling and relatable.
Hebblethwaite’s balanced approach avoids hagiography while offering genuine admiration, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers. Pope Paul VI: The First Modern Pope stands as a definitive account, illuminating not just the life of the pope but the evolution of the modern Church itself. It is a remarkable tribute that educates, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
Damian North Author
The book excels in contextualizing Paul VI’s papacy within the social, political, and theological upheavals of the 20th century. Hebblethwaite captures the pope’s efforts to implement the reforms of Vatican II, his diplomatic finesse, and his commitment to peace and social justice. Readers gain an appreciation for Paul VI’s human side—his struggles, doubts, and moments of quiet heroism—which makes the narrative both compelling and relatable.
Hebblethwaite’s balanced approach avoids hagiography while offering genuine admiration, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers. Pope Paul VI: The First Modern Pope stands as a definitive account, illuminating not just the life of the pope but the evolution of the modern Church itself. It is a remarkable tribute that educates, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
Damian North Author
August 3, 2024
THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF THE POPE WHO VETOED BIRTH CONTROL
Peter Hebblethwaite (1930-1994) was a British Jesuit priest (he left the priesthood to marry), editor, journalist and biographer; he has written many other books, such as 'Pope John XXIII: Shepherd of the Modern World,' 'The Runaway Church: Post-Conciliar Growth or Decline,' 'The New Inquisition? The Case of Edward Schillebeeckx and Hans Kung,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1993 book, "I shall argue that [Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria] Montini is a better subject for a biography than [John XXIII] because he was a richer and deeper personality, had more worldly contacts, and because his pontificate---fifteen years compared with four and a half---was of more decisive importance for the long-term future of the Church." (Pg. 3) He adds, "Indeed his life had no pattern at all: ordained priest without having been a seminarian, he was made archbishop of the most prestigious diocese of Italy without having been a parish priest, and his name was put forward as a candidate for the papacy in 1958 though he was not even a cardinal. His election as pope in 1963 was the single 'logical' event in his life." (Pg. 13)
He notes that "Pius XII [John XXIII's predecessor] was not a theologian. He was a canon lawyer." (Pg. 181) He states, "Of all the French theologians silenced by Humani Generis Henri de Lubac was the closest spiritually to Montini. Montini did not join the pack in condemning him, but neither did he dissent from the condemnation." (Pg. 245)
In taking the name Paul upon his election, Hebblethwaite observes, "His own explanation was that he wanted to reach out to the modern Gentiles." (Pg. 331) After the majority opinion report of the Pontifical Commission on Birth Control [which favored allowing it] was leaked, Hebblethwaite suggests, "Publication of the final report... wrecked Paul VI's carefully laid plans. It meant he could no longer make up his mind in secret, without the world knowing the evidence on which his final judgment was based. He was really angry, and wondered who had blown the gaff." (Pg. 487)
Of the aftermath of the Humanae Vitae encyclical as well as reaffirmation of priestly celibacy, he writes, "These rumblings combined with dissent from Humanae Vitae, often dealt with by heavy-handed suspensions, to make the clergy restless, unhappy, and rebellious. Some priests went ahead and married with the approval of their communities... Crisis-talk was in the air... No pope in modern history had to cope with such dissidence... " (Pg. 570-571)
He notes near the book's end, "Paul reached his eightieth birthday on 26 September 1977, and most commentators wrote anticipated obituaries and wondered whether he would resign... Perhaps Benelli let slip the true reason why Paul did not resign: 'He can't come down from his cross.' To see him literally carrying the heavy cross on Good Friday in the Colosseum was to witness a parable of his idea of the papacy. And now the autumn of his life was drawing near." (Pg. 691-692)
This is a very insightful portrait of the man, and the many complex issues that came up during his pontificate, and will be of considerable to anyone interested in the Catholic Church, the papacy, birth control, celibacy, and similar issues.
Peter Hebblethwaite (1930-1994) was a British Jesuit priest (he left the priesthood to marry), editor, journalist and biographer; he has written many other books, such as 'Pope John XXIII: Shepherd of the Modern World,' 'The Runaway Church: Post-Conciliar Growth or Decline,' 'The New Inquisition? The Case of Edward Schillebeeckx and Hans Kung,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1993 book, "I shall argue that [Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria] Montini is a better subject for a biography than [John XXIII] because he was a richer and deeper personality, had more worldly contacts, and because his pontificate---fifteen years compared with four and a half---was of more decisive importance for the long-term future of the Church." (Pg. 3) He adds, "Indeed his life had no pattern at all: ordained priest without having been a seminarian, he was made archbishop of the most prestigious diocese of Italy without having been a parish priest, and his name was put forward as a candidate for the papacy in 1958 though he was not even a cardinal. His election as pope in 1963 was the single 'logical' event in his life." (Pg. 13)
He notes that "Pius XII [John XXIII's predecessor] was not a theologian. He was a canon lawyer." (Pg. 181) He states, "Of all the French theologians silenced by Humani Generis Henri de Lubac was the closest spiritually to Montini. Montini did not join the pack in condemning him, but neither did he dissent from the condemnation." (Pg. 245)
In taking the name Paul upon his election, Hebblethwaite observes, "His own explanation was that he wanted to reach out to the modern Gentiles." (Pg. 331) After the majority opinion report of the Pontifical Commission on Birth Control [which favored allowing it] was leaked, Hebblethwaite suggests, "Publication of the final report... wrecked Paul VI's carefully laid plans. It meant he could no longer make up his mind in secret, without the world knowing the evidence on which his final judgment was based. He was really angry, and wondered who had blown the gaff." (Pg. 487)
Of the aftermath of the Humanae Vitae encyclical as well as reaffirmation of priestly celibacy, he writes, "These rumblings combined with dissent from Humanae Vitae, often dealt with by heavy-handed suspensions, to make the clergy restless, unhappy, and rebellious. Some priests went ahead and married with the approval of their communities... Crisis-talk was in the air... No pope in modern history had to cope with such dissidence... " (Pg. 570-571)
He notes near the book's end, "Paul reached his eightieth birthday on 26 September 1977, and most commentators wrote anticipated obituaries and wondered whether he would resign... Perhaps Benelli let slip the true reason why Paul did not resign: 'He can't come down from his cross.' To see him literally carrying the heavy cross on Good Friday in the Colosseum was to witness a parable of his idea of the papacy. And now the autumn of his life was drawing near." (Pg. 691-692)
This is a very insightful portrait of the man, and the many complex issues that came up during his pontificate, and will be of considerable to anyone interested in the Catholic Church, the papacy, birth control, celibacy, and similar issues.
June 4, 2021
This is really a continuation of the author's previous biography of Paul's predecessor, Pope John XXIII. It fell to Paul in 1963 upon the death of John to continue the work of the Second Vatican Council. Actually Paul, as Archbishop Montini, was the choice of the man who would become Pope John to succeed Pope Pius XII in the conclave of 1958, but Montini had been exiled (punished) to Milan and denied a Cardinal's hat-a slight John would rectify as Pope. This is a superb biography of an underrated and now forgotten Pope-now Saint. As I child I recall his election, coming out onto the Vatican loggia, and I wondered where is his smile, where is the warmth of John? I also recall the power of his one day trip to New York City, and the welcome in Manhattan, the enthusiasm of the St. Patrick's congregation, and the Mass at Yankee Stadium. He was the first Modern Pope, the Pilgrim Pope, and a man tasked with the completion of his extremely popular predecessor's life's work.
December 19, 2025
While Hebblethwaite sometimes shows his cards and demonstrates some bias in discussing Paul’s more controversial decisions, mainly Humanae Vitae and the ordination of women, he still writes an impressively thorough and readable biography of the Holy Father.
It’s always helpful to be able to read a biography of one central person of an event like Vatican II so as to get a more focused understanding of its arc.
It’s always helpful to be able to read a biography of one central person of an event like Vatican II so as to get a more focused understanding of its arc.
April 4, 2022
An engaging, interesting and often amusing account of this interesting man. I warmed to Paul VI as I read the book - someone humble, unimpressed by the trappings of high office, an innovator, and open to the modern world. He made mistakes, but was keenly aware of what these were, and of his own frailties.
June 9, 2024
I like Hebblewaite's writing in general. He was a good historian and writer. I enjoyed knowing a bit more about Paul VI, and coming to know more about that era and time. It gave me not only a better understanding of Paul, but helped me understand some of the theology, politics, and decisions of the time in context as well.
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February 18, 2016This is a fine piece of work and I enjoyed it even more than Hebblethwaite's account of Pope John XXIII. As before, he brings a sound laic understanding to the issues and leavens the tale with a hearty pinch of gossip. This is, however, more a biography of Paul's papacy rather than the man. Did he ever hear Sgt Pepper's? Which did he prefer, red or white wine? These sorts of details are absent from Hebblethwaite's book. On the other hand, Paul's commitment to ecumenism is justly celebrated and the author does not shy from discussing his bitter battles with the Roman curia. However, given Hebbelthwaite's interest in sexuality and gender, I find it odd that he chose not to say anything regarding the astonishing accusations raised by Roger Peyrefitte which led to Paul's having to make a public response in 1976. Paul VI is 'The First Modern Pope' in much the same way that Elizabeth II is the first modern monarch. Deference is not automatic and their respective reigns were and are conducted in the full glare of a powerful and intrusive mass media. The excellent bibliography contains a wealth of pithy and witty commentary such as the following appended to Robert Blair Kaiser, author of 'The Politics of Sex and Religion' (1985): 'Changed his name from Piser to Kaiser when he became Time's Rome bureau chief, and lost his wife to Malachi Martin.'
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