This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II by his long-time secretary and confidant reveals fascinating new details about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of this public man. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz worked side-by-side with Pope John Paul II for almost forty years, enjoying unique access to both the public and private man. In A Life with Karol, he provides a close-up glimpse into the pope's life and the critical events of his papacy. Dziwisz was sitting next to the pope during the assassination attempt in 1981. He recounts the pope's reaction to 9/11, describing his thoughts and feelings on that day. And the cardinal's moving description of the pope's haunting memories of World War II uncovers the roots of the pontiff's intense opposition to George W. Bush's war on Iraq. The two men shared moments of fun and spontaneity as well. Dziwisz writes about the times the pope would slip out of the Vatican wearing a Panama hat to stroll the streets of Rome, and he describes the clandestine ski and hiking trips the pair made to escape the Vatican. His firsthand account of the pope's last years also reveals that John Paul II considered resigning. These stories and others lend added poignancy to Dziwisz's extraordinary portrayal of the pope's courage and calmness during his final illness.
