Publisher Signs Pope: Ten Years of Preparation

Pope John Paul II was a philosopher before he became a cleric. His Holiness has written an autobiographical meditation called Memory and Identity. The book is a meditative, philosophical response on religious themes. 

Weidenfeld and Nicolsen Publisher negotiated the final deal for the book, which has been in preparation for 10 years.

The Pope met with approximately 20 philosophers, historians, politicians and laymen who met annually over weekends at the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gondolfo in Italy, for discussions. The discussions became a window to the outside world, enabling His Holiness to find out what happens outside the walls of the Vatican. He was able to talk intimately about subjects that either interested or vexed him.

It was like having a private audience with the Pope as he discussed his 1981 assassination attempt and what it meant for his faith.  More importantly, the discussions became a selection of questions and answers looking at the evils of totalitarianism, Nazism, Communism and what they do to your life.

Weidenfeld plans on a first printing of 100,000 and believes the book has broad appeal beyond obvious Catholic readership. Memory and Identity will be published on March 9, 2005 in Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Poland.  

It will be a blessing indeed to be able to read into the philosophical mind of a brilliant man such as Pope John Paul II. I certainly hope we have access to Memory and Identity by March 9, 2005 in the U.S. My youngest daughter’s birthday is March 9th …that coupled with reading the Pope’s new book may get me a front row seat upon entering the pearly gates.    

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