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to read. His book is a very good document, too."In 1994, the pope wrote answers to written questions posed to him by Italian journalist Vittorio Messori. Messori then edited them into "Crossing the Threshold of Hope," a book that became a best-seller in many countries.
Many observers say John Paul's record is mixed. Although the church has expanded in Africa and Latin America -- the latter accounts for about half of the estimated one billion Catholics -- it has lost followers in the industrialized world, including Poland.
His inflexibility on issues with international ramifications -- birth control in Africa, for example -- has drawn strong criticism.
"The church's refusal of condoms even for saving lives is absolutely incomprehensible," French journalist Henri Tincq told Time. "It disqualifies the church from having any role in the whole debate over AIDS."
Nevertheless, said Father Richard John Neuhaus, editor of the Catholic magazine First Things, "This pope has the church in a stronger position than it's been in since the Protestant division in the 16th century. When has the Catholic church had as much
It is doubtful there has ever been a pope who has so successfully translated his strength, determination and faith into such widespread respect and goodwill. In a world of shifting trends and leaders of questionable virtue, John Paul II has been a towering figure at the moral center of modern life.
"This is not a pope who looks at the public opinion polls," says Father Thomas Reese, editor of America magazine and author of the book "Inside the Vatican." "He says what he thinks is right and wrong from conviction. And that's why people admire him. He's a man of integrity and prayer, even if they don't agree with him."
Factoid
Pope John Paul's papacy has not been without conflict.
Buddhist priests boycotted a trip to Sri Lanka after he described their
religion as a largely "atheistic system." After the visit the Pope tried to make amends,
by declaring he had "profound respect and sincere esteem" for Buddhism,
but the tensions still persisted.
FACTOID
John Paul II is possibly the most athletic Pope in history. In his youth,
he played soccer as a goal-keeper, took daring swims in the flooded Skawa River,
and enjoyed skiing, hiking, mountain climbing and kayaking
FACTOID
Before his ordination as a priest, he was a member of an experimental theater group,
a stonecutter, a published poet, and a chemical company boiler-tender.
"It is the task of the Church, of the Holy See, of all pastors, to fight on the side
of man, often against man himself."
- From a 1976 sermon given while still a cardinal and the archibishop of Krakow
FACTOID
Pope John Paul II may be the only Pope whose life was portrayed in a comic book.
In 1983, Marvel Comics published a Pope biography.
FACTOID
John Paul II was by papal standards a comparatively young man when he was
elected in 1978. He was only 58, making him the youngest Pope in 132 years.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
"A nation that kills its own children has no future."
-The pope's reaction to the liberalization of the abortion law in Poland in 1996
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