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Why He Is a Saint: The Life and Faith of Pope John Paul II and the Case for Canonization
Available in English for the first time, this engaging and enlightening biography of John Paul II argues the case that the late pope’s life and deeds make him a worthy saint.
A number-one best seller in Italy, Why He Is a Saint is an account of the late pope’s life, highlighting his deep Christian faith, his dedication to the Church, and his role in bringing down communism. This book delves deeply into Pope John Paul’s spiritual essence, through the unprecedented light of the investigation into whether he merits sainthood.
Why He Is a Saint reveals the pope’s life through vivid, intimate anecdotes. Among the book’s startling revelations are his thoughts of retirement as his health declined, and the fact that he practiced the ancient ritual of daily self-flagellation. The book includes both unpublished as well as public correspondence, such as the “open letter” of forgiveness to Ali Agka, his attempted assassin. It also examines the pope’s severe acts of penitence and documents his miracles.
This impassioned plea in favor of canonizing the pope as a saint has proven to be of profound interest to Catholics worldwide, as well as to anyone interested in faith and spirituality.
A number-one best seller in Italy, Why He Is a Saint is an account of the late pope’s life, highlighting his deep Christian faith, his dedication to the Church, and his role in bringing down communism. This book delves deeply into Pope John Paul’s spiritual essence, through the unprecedented light of the investigation into whether he merits sainthood.
Why He Is a Saint reveals the pope’s life through vivid, intimate anecdotes. Among the book’s startling revelations are his thoughts of retirement as his health declined, and the fact that he practiced the ancient ritual of daily self-flagellation. The book includes both unpublished as well as public correspondence, such as the “open letter” of forgiveness to Ali Agka, his attempted assassin. It also examines the pope’s severe acts of penitence and documents his miracles.
This impassioned plea in favor of canonizing the pope as a saint has proven to be of profound interest to Catholics worldwide, as well as to anyone interested in faith and spirituality.
190 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 15, 2019
What a moving and inspirational book! I loved every bit of it!
March 10, 2026
Sem dúvida um dos homens que mais marcou o sec XX e a história contemporânea da igreja numa altura difícil. Conta-se que quando foi capa da Time, um cardeal levou a revista com entusiasmo a uma reunião, pousa a revista com a capa onde aparecia João Paulo II em destaque. O Papa vira a revista com a capa virada para baixo e continua a conversa. O cardeal voltou a colocá-la discretamente com a capa virada para cima e o Papa vira para baixo; após repetir-se a cena uma vez mais, o cardeal perguntou:
"— Santo Padre, não gosta da capa?"
Ao que João Paulo II respondeu, com simplicidade:
"gosto demasiado , esse é o problema"
A frase é espiritualmente fina e revela o carácter e espiritualidade do Papa João Paulo II: o perigo da vaidade, exame de consciência rigoroso e a noção clara de que ele era o vigário de Cristo e portanto, o protagonismo é sempre de Cristo
O livro "João Paulo II, Santo: A Verdadeira História Contada pelo Postulador", é uma biografia breve mas extremamente rica do Papa João Paulo II, apresentada por alguém que teve acesso privilegiado aos testemunhos recolhidos no processo de beatificação e canonização.
A obra percorre de forma clara e humana toda a vida de Karol Wojtyla. Começa pela infância na Polónia, marcada por perdas profundas: primeiro a morte da mãe quando ainda era criança, depois a do irmão e, já na juventude, a do pai. Essas tragédias sucessivas, ocorridas num curto espaço de tempo, não o quebraram; pelo contrário, moldaram a sua vida interior. Cada uma dessas figuras teve um papel importante na formação espiritual do jovem Wojtyla, especialmente o pai cuja vida de oração silenciosa deixou uma marca decisiva na sua piedade.
O livro acompanha depois a sua vocação sacerdotal num dos períodos mais sombrios da história europeia. A entrada no seminário acontece na clandestinidade, em plena ocupação e posteriormente sob o regime comunista. Nesse contexto hostil, o futuro Papa desenvolve um profundo sentido pastoral: proximidade com os leigos, acompanhamento das famílias, atenção à vida concreta das pessoas. A sua ação pastoral não era so institucional como era profundamente pessoal.
A ascensão na hierarquia da Igreja surge quase como consequência natural do seu caráter e capacidade intelectual. Tornou-se bispo muito jovem, depois arcebispo de Cracóvia e cardeal, até ser eleito Papa em Conclave de 1978, tornando o primeiro Papa não italiano em mais de quatro séculos.
Um dos pontos mais interessantes do livro é a análise do papel histórico de João Paulo II no colapso do comunismo. Sem recorrer à violência, mas também sem ceder na assertividade, coragem e um milimetro perante a injustiça, o Papa exerceu uma influência decisiva na resistência política e moral ao regime, de forma que João Paulo II chegava a ser admirado pelos seus inimigos. A sua postura combinava firmeza e coragem com uma visão profundamente espiritual da política e da liberdade humana.
A dimensão espiritual do Papa atravessa toda a obra. O livro mostra um homem de intensa vida de oração, de disciplina interior e de sacrifício, cuja liderança se fundava mais na santidade pessoal do que em qualquer estratégia de poder.
O valor especial desta biografia está precisamente no seu autor que como postulador da causa de canonização, Slawomir Oder teve acesso direto a testemunhos, documentos e relatos que ajudaram a demonstrar a santidade de João Paulo II. Isso permite ao leitor reencontrar o Papa não apenas como figura histórica ou política, mas como pastor e homem de Deus. No final, o livro deixa a impressão de que João Paulo II foi simultaneamente três coisas raras numa mesma pessoa: um homem profundamente humano, um pastor próximo do seu povo e um Sumo Pontífice de coragem extraordinária. Para muitos leitores, especialmente para aqueles que o têm como referência, como eu, esta obra funciona quase como um reencontro com um Papa cuja santidade marcou decisivamente a história contemporânea da Igreja.
"— Santo Padre, não gosta da capa?"
Ao que João Paulo II respondeu, com simplicidade:
"gosto demasiado , esse é o problema"
A frase é espiritualmente fina e revela o carácter e espiritualidade do Papa João Paulo II: o perigo da vaidade, exame de consciência rigoroso e a noção clara de que ele era o vigário de Cristo e portanto, o protagonismo é sempre de Cristo
O livro "João Paulo II, Santo: A Verdadeira História Contada pelo Postulador", é uma biografia breve mas extremamente rica do Papa João Paulo II, apresentada por alguém que teve acesso privilegiado aos testemunhos recolhidos no processo de beatificação e canonização.
A obra percorre de forma clara e humana toda a vida de Karol Wojtyla. Começa pela infância na Polónia, marcada por perdas profundas: primeiro a morte da mãe quando ainda era criança, depois a do irmão e, já na juventude, a do pai. Essas tragédias sucessivas, ocorridas num curto espaço de tempo, não o quebraram; pelo contrário, moldaram a sua vida interior. Cada uma dessas figuras teve um papel importante na formação espiritual do jovem Wojtyla, especialmente o pai cuja vida de oração silenciosa deixou uma marca decisiva na sua piedade.
O livro acompanha depois a sua vocação sacerdotal num dos períodos mais sombrios da história europeia. A entrada no seminário acontece na clandestinidade, em plena ocupação e posteriormente sob o regime comunista. Nesse contexto hostil, o futuro Papa desenvolve um profundo sentido pastoral: proximidade com os leigos, acompanhamento das famílias, atenção à vida concreta das pessoas. A sua ação pastoral não era so institucional como era profundamente pessoal.
A ascensão na hierarquia da Igreja surge quase como consequência natural do seu caráter e capacidade intelectual. Tornou-se bispo muito jovem, depois arcebispo de Cracóvia e cardeal, até ser eleito Papa em Conclave de 1978, tornando o primeiro Papa não italiano em mais de quatro séculos.
Um dos pontos mais interessantes do livro é a análise do papel histórico de João Paulo II no colapso do comunismo. Sem recorrer à violência, mas também sem ceder na assertividade, coragem e um milimetro perante a injustiça, o Papa exerceu uma influência decisiva na resistência política e moral ao regime, de forma que João Paulo II chegava a ser admirado pelos seus inimigos. A sua postura combinava firmeza e coragem com uma visão profundamente espiritual da política e da liberdade humana.
A dimensão espiritual do Papa atravessa toda a obra. O livro mostra um homem de intensa vida de oração, de disciplina interior e de sacrifício, cuja liderança se fundava mais na santidade pessoal do que em qualquer estratégia de poder.
O valor especial desta biografia está precisamente no seu autor que como postulador da causa de canonização, Slawomir Oder teve acesso direto a testemunhos, documentos e relatos que ajudaram a demonstrar a santidade de João Paulo II. Isso permite ao leitor reencontrar o Papa não apenas como figura histórica ou política, mas como pastor e homem de Deus. No final, o livro deixa a impressão de que João Paulo II foi simultaneamente três coisas raras numa mesma pessoa: um homem profundamente humano, um pastor próximo do seu povo e um Sumo Pontífice de coragem extraordinária. Para muitos leitores, especialmente para aqueles que o têm como referência, como eu, esta obra funciona quase como um reencontro com um Papa cuja santidade marcou decisivamente a história contemporânea da Igreja.
April 8, 2012
I think this book is an informative look at JPII life but since it has a purpose in his canonization as a saint it was two dry at times without a good narrative. It seemed to me at times that the book was more an essay rather than a narrative. But, the essence of who JPII did shine through. He was not only important in the evangelization of the Catholic faith but he was also instrumental geopolitically in bringing down communism from within via peaceful means.
John Paul II was a people person who loved to teach the youth of his parish. He was as equally enthralled by the young with their youthful vigor as he was with intellectual ideas especially as it expressed itself in freedom of worship and religious freedom. He also loved acting and being with people. He always tried to stay grounded by being in touch with his friends from boyhood. His friendship with a Jew and experience in Nazi-occupied Poland led him to bridge the divide between Catholics and Judaism and his general ecumenical outlook. He really had a sense of mission which is important if one wants to do something outside ones comfort zone.
He initially did not want to be bishop because it would take him away from his contact with the youth of his parish. As pope he hated the politics and bureaucracy that came with the position in favor of the people that he wanted to serve. He wanted to continue being the happy go lucky intellectual spiritualist that he was that was increasingly at odds with being head of an organized church. He was also loyal to the priesthood and like to put on a unified front to external threats...(Can this possibly be the reason he did not crack down harder on suspected child abusers? Is it his loyalty to the priesthood or his idealism that someone in the priesthood could possibly not do this?)
With his emphasis of freedom of worship and religious freedom, he became an ardent opponent of totalitarianism with its expression first in Nazism and later Communism. He rightly considered coercion of religion by the state as antithetical to religious freedom. The Polish communist secret police kept tabs on him because he provided an open forum in communist Poland in which open dialogue was encouraged attracting not only Catholics but also anti-communist intellectuals. Through this forum, he was able to organize and concentrate opposition to Polish Communism. I think Reagan was lucky to have John Paul as his ally against Communism. Whereas Reagan showed an external enemy against communism, John Paul worked within Eastern block communist countries such as Poland to weaken communism from within. It took both internal weakening as well as external pressure from without to finally destroy Communism as a force. According to Gorbachev, JPII was the catalyst the destroyed communism from within. Just like a good Christian, he credits the faith of the faithful not himself as the impetus for the demise of communism. Other than their strident opposition to communism, JPII shared with Reagan an inherent trust on the individual as someone that can do the world the greatest good as well as a penchant for discarding monetary cost in favor of completing a mission.
Pope:
As Pope, John Paul sought to modernize the Catholic church in the image of Vatican II thus hiring Benedict as his theological enforcer. Whereas John Paul is the evangelist who ruled with the heart thus attracting converts to the Catholic Church, Benedict is the fundamentalist who seeks to purge the believers from the unbelievers. Because of John Paul's emphasis on engaging the world, he became actively engaged in how the church influences as well as influenced by the outside world via culture. Also in an effort to bring cultural understanding and highlight the faithful's plight, he was a prolific traveler. For example, he imprinted on Pinochet the importance of elections in Chile which the dictator finally acquiesed to. Because he understood that the laity and decentralization of the church was necessary to bring an inside-out evangelical process he created World Youth Day.
Whereas his contribution in the fall of communism is his greatest gift to the World's political sphere, it is his forgiveness of his assassin as perhaps the strongest case for his sainthood. To forgive an assassin who sought your demise must be seen as divinely inspired as his belief that ones suffering has spiritual significance in the greater work of God. It is similar to the idea that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins his sacrifice led to everyone's eternal life. Likewise, once suffering gives energy somewhere else to another in the world to do good. Instead of the assassination crippling him, it made him born again in JC that is he was no longer afraid of death since he was convinced that JC saved him for HIS greater purpose. Another thing favoring his sainthood is his emphasis on ecumenical dialogue with not only diverse members of the Christian faith but also the Jewish and Islamic faiths too.
The chapter of MYSTICISM:
JPII trust God completely and constantly has direct contact with him through prayer. His personal relationship with God directed his compassion toward others and also allowed him to disregard any material comforts in favor of divine comfort. As Pope, he used prayer as spiritual fortification and discernment on actions he took in his day-to-day duties. To him Christian Love was perfectly exemplified through God's Divine Mercy towards us and thus shows his perfect unconditional love so in turn we have to give our unconditional love to others (Charity of Heart) to others.
For him, personal suffering was a way to share in God's suffering on the cross and thus share in his redemption of the world. While I now agree with this view of suffering, I have to make a distinction between God-made suffering which I think takes the form of unexplained diseases and natural disasters and Man-made disasters which is man made violence such as death through war and criminal activities. I think man has a duty to rectify these type of sufferings because in the end it is the Devil behind these types of suffering. JPII took the idea of suffering to share in Jesus suffering to the extreme by the practice of self-flagellation.
I think it is interesting that he canonized multiple saints in order for Catholics to have more people to choose from to emulate as well as to show that the Holy Spirit is active in today in the world.
John Paul II was a people person who loved to teach the youth of his parish. He was as equally enthralled by the young with their youthful vigor as he was with intellectual ideas especially as it expressed itself in freedom of worship and religious freedom. He also loved acting and being with people. He always tried to stay grounded by being in touch with his friends from boyhood. His friendship with a Jew and experience in Nazi-occupied Poland led him to bridge the divide between Catholics and Judaism and his general ecumenical outlook. He really had a sense of mission which is important if one wants to do something outside ones comfort zone.
He initially did not want to be bishop because it would take him away from his contact with the youth of his parish. As pope he hated the politics and bureaucracy that came with the position in favor of the people that he wanted to serve. He wanted to continue being the happy go lucky intellectual spiritualist that he was that was increasingly at odds with being head of an organized church. He was also loyal to the priesthood and like to put on a unified front to external threats...(Can this possibly be the reason he did not crack down harder on suspected child abusers? Is it his loyalty to the priesthood or his idealism that someone in the priesthood could possibly not do this?)
With his emphasis of freedom of worship and religious freedom, he became an ardent opponent of totalitarianism with its expression first in Nazism and later Communism. He rightly considered coercion of religion by the state as antithetical to religious freedom. The Polish communist secret police kept tabs on him because he provided an open forum in communist Poland in which open dialogue was encouraged attracting not only Catholics but also anti-communist intellectuals. Through this forum, he was able to organize and concentrate opposition to Polish Communism. I think Reagan was lucky to have John Paul as his ally against Communism. Whereas Reagan showed an external enemy against communism, John Paul worked within Eastern block communist countries such as Poland to weaken communism from within. It took both internal weakening as well as external pressure from without to finally destroy Communism as a force. According to Gorbachev, JPII was the catalyst the destroyed communism from within. Just like a good Christian, he credits the faith of the faithful not himself as the impetus for the demise of communism. Other than their strident opposition to communism, JPII shared with Reagan an inherent trust on the individual as someone that can do the world the greatest good as well as a penchant for discarding monetary cost in favor of completing a mission.
Pope:
As Pope, John Paul sought to modernize the Catholic church in the image of Vatican II thus hiring Benedict as his theological enforcer. Whereas John Paul is the evangelist who ruled with the heart thus attracting converts to the Catholic Church, Benedict is the fundamentalist who seeks to purge the believers from the unbelievers. Because of John Paul's emphasis on engaging the world, he became actively engaged in how the church influences as well as influenced by the outside world via culture. Also in an effort to bring cultural understanding and highlight the faithful's plight, he was a prolific traveler. For example, he imprinted on Pinochet the importance of elections in Chile which the dictator finally acquiesed to. Because he understood that the laity and decentralization of the church was necessary to bring an inside-out evangelical process he created World Youth Day.
Whereas his contribution in the fall of communism is his greatest gift to the World's political sphere, it is his forgiveness of his assassin as perhaps the strongest case for his sainthood. To forgive an assassin who sought your demise must be seen as divinely inspired as his belief that ones suffering has spiritual significance in the greater work of God. It is similar to the idea that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins his sacrifice led to everyone's eternal life. Likewise, once suffering gives energy somewhere else to another in the world to do good. Instead of the assassination crippling him, it made him born again in JC that is he was no longer afraid of death since he was convinced that JC saved him for HIS greater purpose. Another thing favoring his sainthood is his emphasis on ecumenical dialogue with not only diverse members of the Christian faith but also the Jewish and Islamic faiths too.
The chapter of MYSTICISM:
JPII trust God completely and constantly has direct contact with him through prayer. His personal relationship with God directed his compassion toward others and also allowed him to disregard any material comforts in favor of divine comfort. As Pope, he used prayer as spiritual fortification and discernment on actions he took in his day-to-day duties. To him Christian Love was perfectly exemplified through God's Divine Mercy towards us and thus shows his perfect unconditional love so in turn we have to give our unconditional love to others (Charity of Heart) to others.
For him, personal suffering was a way to share in God's suffering on the cross and thus share in his redemption of the world. While I now agree with this view of suffering, I have to make a distinction between God-made suffering which I think takes the form of unexplained diseases and natural disasters and Man-made disasters which is man made violence such as death through war and criminal activities. I think man has a duty to rectify these type of sufferings because in the end it is the Devil behind these types of suffering. JPII took the idea of suffering to share in Jesus suffering to the extreme by the practice of self-flagellation.
I think it is interesting that he canonized multiple saints in order for Catholics to have more people to choose from to emulate as well as to show that the Holy Spirit is active in today in the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
Libro escrito por el sacerdote encargado de llevar la causa de beatificación de Juan Pablo II. Es un libro sencillo, que nos trae a la memoria y nos muestra la santidad de la persona de Karol Wojtyla en la vida cotidiana. Lo recomiendo a quienes este Papa los marcó y a quienes no tuvieron la suerte de conocerlo.
January 10, 2025
Besides being an interesting portrayal of the thematic considerations made in a beatification case, this book gave a great insight into the life of a man who, before all else, aimed to live as closely in communion with Jesus Christ as possible. Well written, heartfelt and emotional.
October 26, 2015
Although I was expecting something different (maybe because when the question is Sanctity, often there are stories of miracles and all sorts of miraculous things happening) I liked this book. With only three very long chapter (the Man, the Pope and the Mystic) it shows a side of the late Pope's life that I was unaware of: namely, his poverty, the fact that he only accepted to own or wear old clothes and shoes, never accepting any offers to himself, but always giving everything to those in need or to the Church for charitable purposes. The nobility of his character comes out throughout these pages and one does understand that the Author(s) did not want to call the public's attention through the description of the known miracles, but rather impress the reader with the daily practice of sanctity, which is no doubt the case with John Paul the Second. His role in real politics during the cold war is also an amazing part of this book.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 26 October 2015.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 26 October 2015.
May 1, 2012
It's a clear and concise text that explains the life of Karol Wojtyla. It has been written by the person assigned to lead his beatification process. It contains several passages of the life of John Paul II and also many testimonials of people who met him and worked with him.
July 27, 2011
Per conoscere aspetti più privati di un grande uomo , di un grande mistico che presto sarà il nostro santo padre a tutti gli effetti!
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