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Pope Benedict XVI
by Stephen MansfieldWhile often regarded as a conservative influence on the church, the Pope and his story defy easy categorization, argues bestselling author Stephen Mansfield. John Paul became a priest only after attending an underground seminary during the Nazi occupation of Poland. To keep his national culture alive during those dark years, young Karol started an outlawed theater troupe. He became a poet and a playwright, and, even after gaining an international reputation as a theologian, he still kept the artist's touch. Mansfield vividly recalls the Pope as the churchman whose courage helped to bring down communism, as the world figure who visited his would-be assassin's prison cell to extend forgiveness, and as the theologically conservative icon who fought for the poor and against the corruptions of capitalism more than any other world leader of his time. He is the first pope to enter a synagogue, the first to apologize for the Holocaust, and the first to visit a concentration camp. What is certain, says Mansfield, is that Pope John Paul II has had a decisive impact on our times, and not only as a religious leader: He has shaped our world as a philosopher, a statesman, an artist, and a "great soul. " In Pope John Paul II, Mansfield examines the Pope's influence on the world specifically from the perspective of a non-Catholic-a committed Christian without fealty to Rome. Mansfield's academic depth, his poetic but widely accessible writing style, and his ability to render complex religious ideas understandable to the non-religious, lend his treatment of Pope John Paul II significance for readers of all philosophies and faiths.
Pope Francis
by Sergio Rubin Francesca AmbrogettiThe only authorised biography of Pope Francis I. Just who is Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name Francis? Elected in one of the shortest conclaves in history, the former Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina reveals, in a series of extensive interviews conducted over the course of two years, the very image of a humble priest, inspired teacher, and wise and adroit cardinal. Speaking spontaneously and intimately, Archbishop Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, covers topics as wide-ranging as his childhood, family life, and first job to discovering his calling and his early days in the seminary. The former archbishop was a teacher of psychology and literature until John Paul II consecrated him as a cardinal. He befriended writers like Jorge Luis Borges and cites Homer, Cervantes, and German and Italian poets with ease and offers genuinely interesting and nuanced thoughts about teaching. A learned and introspective man, he doesn't avoid the uncomfortable subjects: topics covered include the declining numbers of priests and nuns; celibacy; the sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the church; and his opinions about and experience with the military dictatorship of his own crisis riddled country. It also discusses the incredible role he played in the last conclave. In each stage of his life, we witness a man more interested in substance than style, one whose actions and words reflect his deeply-rooted humility. The book concludes with the Pope's own writings and reflections, full of wisdom and inspiration.
Pope Francis (National Geographic Kids Readers)
by Barbara KramerMeet Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Pope from the Americas. He's also the first Pope to replace a living one! Learn all about the Pontiff in this level 1 reader, carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience.
Pope Francis Among the Wolves: The Inside Story of a Revolution
by Marco PolitiMarco Politi takes us deep inside the power struggle roiling the Roman Curia and the Catholic Church worldwide, beginning with Benedict XVI, the pope who famously resigned in 2013, and intensifying with the contested and unexpected election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, now known as Pope Francis. Politi's account balances the perspectives of Pope Francis's supporters, Benedict's sympathizers, and those disappointed members of the Catholic laity who feel alienated by the institution's secrecy, financial corruption, and refusal to modernize.Politi dramatically recounts the sexual scandals that have rocked the church and the accusations of money laundering and other financial misdeeds swirling around the Vatican and the Italian Catholic establishment. Pope Francis has tried to shine a light on these crimes, but his work has been met with resistance from entrenched factions. Politi writes of the decline in church attendance and vocations to the priesthood throughout the world as the church continues to prohibit divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving the communion wafer. He visits European parishes where women now perform the functions of missing male priests—and where the remaining parishioners would welcome the admission of women to the priesthood, if the church would allow it. Pope Francis's emphasis on pastoral compassion for all who struggle with the burden of family life has also provoked the ire of traditionalists in the Roman Curia and elsewhere. He knows from personal experience what life is like for the poor in Buenos Aires and other metropolises of the globalized world, and highlights the contrast between the vital, vibrant faith of these parishioners and the disillusionment of European Catholics. Pope Francis and his supporters are locked in a battle with the defenders of the traditional hard line and with ecclesiastical corruption. In this conflict, the future of Catholicism is at stake—and it is far from certain Francis will succeed in saving the institution from decline.
Pope Francis Among the Wolves: The Inside Story of a Revolution
by Marco PolitiA behind-the-scenes view of the power struggles within the Vatican and &“a look inside the byzantine halls of the institutional Catholic Church.&”—Publishers Weekly A journalist who has long covered the Vatican, Marco Politi takes us deep inside the struggle roiling the Roman Curia and the Catholic Church worldwide, beginning with Benedict XVI, the pope who famously resigned in 2013, and intensifying with the unexpected election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, now known as Pope Francis. Politi&’s account balances the perspectives of Pope Francis&’s supporters, Benedict&’s sympathizers, and those disappointed members of the laity who feel alienated by the institution&’s secrecy, financial corruption, and refusal to modernize. Politi dramatically recounts the sexual scandals that have rocked the church and the accusations of money laundering and other financial misdeeds swirling around the Vatican and the Italian Catholic establishment, and how Pope Francis&’s attempts to address these crimes has been met with resistance from entrenched factions. He writes of the decline in church attendance and vocations to the priesthood as the church continues to prohibit divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving Communion. He visits European parishes where women perform the functions of missing male priests—and where the remaining parishioners would welcome the ordination of women, if the church would allow it. Pope Francis&’s emphasis on pastoral compassion for all who struggle with the burden of family life has also provoked the ire of traditionalists. He knows from experience what life is like for the poor in South America and elsewhere, and highlights the contrast between the vital, vibrant faith of these parishioners and the disillusionment of European Catholics. As Pope Francis and his supporters are locked in battle with the defenders of the traditional hard line and with ecclesiastical corruption, the future of Catholicism is at stake—and it is far from certain Francis will succeed in saving the institution from decline.
Pope Francis and Interreligious Dialogue: Religious Thinkers Engage with Recent Papal Initiatives (Pathways for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue)
by Harold Kasimow Alan RaceThis book engages thinkers from different religious and humanist traditions in response to Pope Francis’s pronouncements on interreligious dialogue. The contributors write from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Humanism. Each author elaborates on how the pope’s openness to dialogue and invitation to practical collaboration on global concerns represents a significant achievement as the world faces an uncertain future. The theological tension within the Catholic double commitment to evangelization on the one hand, and dialogue on the other, remains unresolved for most writers, but this does not prevent them from praising the strong invitation to dialogue–especially with the focus on justice, peace, and ecological sustainability.
Pope Francis and the Caring Society
by Robert M. WhaplesPope Francis and the Caring Society is a thoughtful and in-depth exploration of the Pope&’s earnest call for a dialogue on building a truly compassionate society.Francis&’s fervent support for uplifting the poor and protecting the environment has inspired far-reaching discussions worldwide: What is the most effective way to fight poverty? Can environmental resources be better protected with property rights? Are the poor better off under a market economy? And what value does a religious perspective offer in addressing moral, political, and economic problems? Pope Francis and the Caring Society is an indispensable resource for consideration of these vital questions. Edited by Robert M. Whaples, with a foreword by Michael Novak, the book provides an integrated perspective on Francis and the issues he has raised, examining the intersection of religion, politics, and economics. Readers will discover important historical and cultural context for considering Francis&’s views, along with non-bureaucratic solutions for environmental preservation, an analysis of Francis&’s criticism of power and privilege, the case for market-based entrepreneurship and private charity as the essential tools for fighting poverty, and an examination of Francis&’s philosophy of the family. Pope Francis and the Caring Society is essential reading for anyone interested in creating a better, more caring, and prosperous world.
Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism
by Gerard MannionPope Francis and the Future of Catholicism is the first and most in-depth study of the most important teaching document from Pope Francis to date: Evangelii Gaudium. It explores the key components of his vision and agenda for the church - ecclesiological, social and dialogical - drawing together a range of globally and disciplinary diverse voices from leading experts in the field. Contributions explore Francis' distinctive style of papacy as well as the substance of his ecclesial revolution and reforms. Chapters engage with the most pressing challenges for the church in today's world and Francis' debt to key influences from John XXIII and Vatican II to Liberation Theology. The global context and contributions to the dialogue of this papacy are assessed and discussed in-depth. The scope of the book will appeal to those interested in the Catholic Church in both contemporary and historical contexts and to those seeking to understand where the church is going today.
Pope Francis as a Global Actor: Where Politics And Theology Meet (Palgrave Studies in Religion, Politics, and Policy)
by Alynna J. Lyon Christine A. Gustafson Paul Christopher ManuelPope Francis confuses many observers because his papacy does not fit neatly into any pre-established classificatory schemes. To gain a deeper appreciation of Francis’s complicated papacy, this volume proposes that an interdisciplinary approach, fusing concepts derived from moral theology and the social sciences, may properly situate Pope Francis as a global political entrepreneur. The chapters in this volume ask what difference it makes that he is the first pope from Latin America, how and why different countries in the world respond to him, how his understanding of scripture informs his ideas on economic, social, and environmental policy, and where politics meets theology under Francis. In the end, this volume seeks to provide a more robust understanding of the enigmatic papacy of Francis.
Pope Francis in His Own Words
by Julie Schwietert Collazo and Lisa RogakThe moment the identity of the newly elected 266th pontiff was revealed, it was clear to the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and to the watching world, that this pope was different in fascinating and exciting ways — the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. When Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, spoke from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted his audience colloquially: “Brothers and sisters, good evening.” He told a joke, commenting that his fellow cardinals had “gone to the ends of the earth” to find him. Then, downplaying his power and position, he proceeded not to bless the crowd but to ask them for their blessing: “I ask a favor of you,” he said, bowing humbly. “Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me.” Francis has repeatedly foregone the fancy dress, lavish accommodations, and other luxuries of his position, emphasizing pastoral work with the sick and the poor and always seeking to empower the underdog (including his favorite soccer team in Buenos Aires — San Lorenzo). This revealing collection of his own words, gathered from sermons, interviews, and the Pope’s books, prompts understanding and insight into his way of being and believing — and inspires goodwill, love, and hope.
Pope Francis in the U.S.
by Marianne Lorraine Trouvé FSPSavor the most soul-stirring aspects of Pope Francis' historic visit to the U.S. with this prayerfully crafted collection. Arranged by topic, these excerpts from Pope Francis' talks will help you reflect on his words and be moved to do what you can to make the Gospel and the works of mercy a strong force in your own daily life. Allow this beloved Pope to continue to speak to you and to those you love!
Pope Francis' Little Book of Compassion: The Essential Teachings
by Andrea Kirk AssafPope Francis is a pope of the people, and his teachings have been praised and shared by the faithful and nonreligious alike. Exploring themes universal to all people, Pope Francis’ Little Book of Compassion offers inspiration and hope from one of the world&’s great spiritual leaders. In it, the Holy Father explores how living a life of compassion can be practiced in five areas of life: prayer, mercy, forgiveness, solidarity, and charity. <P><P>Pope Francis appears to be changing the face of Roman Catholicism. He has infused the fusty institution with openness and optimism, faced off against established power interests within the Vatican, reformed the Church’s finances, and, most importantly, asked that Catholics approach one another and non-Catholics with candor, humility, and love. He has made the papacy and the Church relevant once again. <P><P>Words from Pope Francis:“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” “There is so much indifference in the face of suffering. May we overcome indifference with concrete acts of charity."
Pope Francis: A Little Golden Book Biography (Little Golden Book)
by Suzanne SladeDream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Pope Francis! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers—as well as fans of all ages!This Little Golden Book about Pope Francis--the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Pope from South America--is an inspiring read-aloud for young children. Look for more Little Golden Book biographies: • Queen Elizabeth II • King Charles III • Barack Obama • Dr. Jonas Salk • Harriet Tubman
Pope Francis: Conversations With Jorge Bergoglio
by Sergio Rubin Francesca AmbrogettiCardinal Jorge Bergoglio was chosen as the next Pope in one of the shortest conclaves in history. He is the first Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope to come from Latin America. Who is this man, and how did he come to such high position?This book begins with the arrival of Bergoglio's family in Buenos Aires in 1929, travelling from Italy, explores his childhood as one of a family of five, his first job as a factory cleaner and the bout of pneumonia which forced him to reassess his life completely. Then from his early days as a seminarian through his experience as a teacher of psychology and literature, through to his consecration as a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio shares his experiences of faith and life.The difficult subjects are met head on, from the declining numbers of priests to celibacy and even the sex abuse scandals that have rocked the church - and through it all, Bergoglio's humble approach and desire to live an austere and faithful life shine through.This is a Pope who will not allow himself to be fitted to a traditional mould - and the world waits with bated breath to see what his time as leader of the world's largest church will bring.
Pope Francis: From the End of the Earth to Rome
by The Staff of the Wall Street JournalOn March 13, the cardinals of the Catholic Church, gathered to elect a successor to a living Pope for the first time in 600 years, announced a dramatic shift. By elevating Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina to become Pope Francis the 266th Pontiff, the cardinals were naming the first-ever Pope from the growing New World to take the helm of the church at a crucial moment.It was a stunning move by a 2,000-year-old institution that has immense influence—with 1.2 billion adherents worldwide—and huge problems, including a decade-old sex-abuse scandal that has shattered faith in the institution, a shortage of priests and secular trends that have drained the church of members and challenged its relevancy in a changing world.From the shocking decision by Pope Benedict XVI to retire, to the introduction of Pope Francis, from the back streets of Buenos Aires to the front row at St. Peter's Square, reporters from The Wall Street Journal have chronicled these dramatic weeks in the life of the oldest institution in the world. Now, in a new e-book, Journal reporters will present a detailed, timely and original biography of the new Pope Francis, as well as new insight on the bargaining and drama that surrounded his rise. Pope Francis will present the full, in-depth story of the church's change in direction and the man charged with leading it, and consider how Pope Francis might address the years of scandal and shortcomings while leading Catholics worldwide toward a deeper faith.
Pope Francis: His Life and Thought
by Mario I AguilarPope Francis: His Life and Thought paints a compelling picture of a truly remarkable pope, considering his life in detail until his election as Pope Francis in 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was a highly unusual candidate for the papacy for two main reasons: the 'pope from far away' is the first non-European to be elected, and, furthermore, he began his career as a Jesuit, one of 'God's soldiers'. Members of the order traditionally do not ascend the hierarchy of the Church, and it took a personal request from Pope John Paul II for Bergoglio to leave the Society of Jesus and accept his appointment as bishop. Bergoglio's theological principles have been profoundly shaped by these two factors. However, the author also reveals that the evolution of his thought was deeply affected by his simple Argentinean upbringing and his fearless work in the slums of Buenos Aires as a young Jesuit and as a senior member of the Church. Bergoglio has consistently emphasised the importance of alleviatingthe suffering of the poor, following the teaching of Vatican II, and in keeping with his own unflinching morality. This volume reveals Pope Francis as remarkably humble and altruistic man, doctrinally conservative, and engaged less in politics thanin the struggle to re-centre the Church at the margins of society. It will be of great interest to any reader who wishes to know more about this inspiring individual.
Pope Francis: Journeys of a Peacemaker (Peacemakers)
by Mario I. AguilarThis volume is about Pope Francis, the diplomat. In his eight years of pontificate, Pope Francis as a peacemaker has propagated the ideas of human and divine cooperation to build a global human fraternity through his journeys outside the Vatican. This book discusses his endeavours to connect and develop a common peaceful international order between countries, faith communities, and even antagonistic communities through a peaceful journey of human beings. The book analyses his speeches, and meetings as a diplomat of peace, including his visits to Cuba and the United States, and his mediations for peace in Colombia, Myanmar, Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Jerusalem, the Central African Republic, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It discusses the role of Pope Francis as mediator in different circumstances through his own writings, letters, and Vatican documents; his encounters with world leaders; as well as his contributions to a universal understanding on inter-faith dialogue, climate change and the environment, and human migration and the refugee crisis. The volume also sheds light on his ideas on a post-pandemic just social order, as summarised in his 2020 encyclical. A definitive work on the diplomacy and the travels of Pope Francis, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of religious studies, peace and conflict studies, ethics and philosophy, and political science and international relations. It will be of great interest to the general reader as well.
Pope Francis: Money, Masons and Occultism in the Decline of the Catholic Church
by Brad Olsen Leo ZagamiPope Francis: The Last Pope? reveals the possible reasons for the choice of historical abdication of Benedict XVI and traces the process that led to the election of Cardinal Bergoglio: the Pope who many have prophesized will be the last and will bring the Catholic Church to its end. The book details the history of this prophecy, which was hidden away in the Vatican for hundreds of years and predicts that the reign of the last Pope will herald the beginning of "great apostasy" followed by "great tribulation." It also explores the recent scandals in the Catholic Church and addresses questions including What pressures decreed the end of the pontificate of Benedict XVI? What powers have an interest for the Church to end? and What is the relationship between the Vatican and the New World Order? Perfect for anyone interested in prophecies about the end times, Pope Francis: The Last Pope reveals the truth about what numerology says about the last Pope and the darkness that may follow him, as well as fascinating investigations into the gay lobby, Freemasonry, and the Jesuit agenda in the Vatican and how it relates to the first Borgia Pope, the legend of the White Pope and the Black Pope, and how Benedict's resignation may fulfill an ancient prophecy.
Pope Francis: The People's Pope (A Real-Life Story)
by Beatrice GormleyBea Gormley tells the story of Pope Francis, known as the People&’s Pope, who has humbly said, &“My people are poor and I am one of them.&”Ordained as Pope on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis became the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Known worldwide for his great humility and approachability, he is the first citizen from the Americas, the first non-European, and first Jesuit priest to be named Pope. Gormley explores the pontif&’s early years, growing up as the eldest of five children of Italian immigrants in Argentina, working as a chemical technician before venturing in the priesthood as a Jesuit novice. He went from Bishop to Archbishop to Cardinal—and gained a reputation for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and a commitment to social justice, which stands to this day. Named Person of the Year by Time magazine in December 2013, Pope Francis remains outspoken in support of the world&’s poor and marginalized people, and he has been involved actively in areas of political diplomacy and environmental advocacy.
Pope Francis: The Story of the Holy Father
by Marie DuhamelFrom the moment he was elected into the papacy, Pope Francis has captured the attention of the world with his humility, charisma, and reformist spirit.This one-of-a-kind, illustrated biography of the first Jesuit pope offers more than 250 photographs and 50 removable documents from Francis's life. Written by Vatican Radio reporter Marie Duhamel, this intimate portrait includes his parents emigration from Italy, his birth as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, his love of soccer and opera as a child, the pneumonia that nearly cost him his life as a young adult, his calling to the priesthood, and his first encounter with poverty as a missionary in Chile that would change his life. Duhamel chronicles Francis's rise from priest to bishop to cardinal to the papacy and how, along the way, he impressed many people-and alienated some-with his courage to stand up to authority and his dedication to helping the poor.Enclosed documents such as his baptism certificate, photographs from his childhood, pages from a school notebook, handwritten notes as pope, and even a support card for his beloved San Lorenzosoccer club, further illuminate his life and create a lasting keepsake of this pope of the people.
Pope Francis: Untying the Knots
by Paul VallelyFrom his first appearance on a Vatican balcony Pope Francis proved himself a Pope of Surprises. With a series of potent gestures, history's first Jesuit pope declared a mission to restore authenticity and integrity to a Catholic Church bedevilled by sex abuse and secrecy, intrigue and in-fighting, ambition and arrogance. He declared it should be "a poor Church, for the poor." But there is a hidden past to this modest man with the winning smile. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was previously a bitterly divisive figure. His decade as leader of Argentina's Jesuits left the religious order deeply split. And his behaviour during Argentina's Dirty War, when military death squads snatched innocent people from the streets, raised serious questions – on which this book casts new light. Yet something dramatic then happened to Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He underwent an extraordinary transformation. After a time of exile he re-emerged having turned from a conservative authoritarian into a humble friend of the poor – and became Bishop of the Slums, making enemies among Argentina's political classes in the process. For Pope Francis – Untying the Knots, Paul Vallely travelled to Argentina and Rome to meet Bergoglio's intimates over the last four decades. His book charts a remarkable journey. It reveals what changed the man who was to become Pope Francis—from a reactionary into the revolutionary who is unnerving Rome's clerical careerists with the extent of his behind-the-scenes changes. In this perceptive portrait Paul Vallely offers both new evidence and penetrating insights into the kind of pope Francis could become.
Pope Francis’s Synod on Synodality and Modern Sociology: Exploring Behavioral and Research Aspects (Routledge Studies in Religion)
by Vivencio BallanoThis book focuses on the value and necessity of modern sociology to Pope Francis’s church reform project known as the Synod on Synodality. It explores the behavioral and research aspects of this latest synod, applying sociological perspectives and methods and drawing on secondary literature, media reports, and church documents. The author argues that sociology is crucial for translating the major theological concepts into behavioral and research indicators to empirically ground the overall theological framework of the synod as an ecclesial innovation rather than a revolution in the Catholic Church. The importance of sociological research methodology is emphasized to guide the synod’s complex and multi-stage qualitative data collection, which seeks to understand the synodal concerns of all Catholics in today’s world. The book addresses the need for scientific approaches to church reforms and for a nuanced complementarity between sociology and theology. It will be of particular interest to scholars of theology, religion, and sociology, as well as those actively involved in the workings of the Catholic Church.
Pope Innocent II: The World vs the City (Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West)
by John Doran Damian J. SmithThe pontificate of Innocent II (1130-1143) has long been recognized as a watershed in the history of the papacy, marking the transition from the age of reform to the so-called papal monarchy, when an earlier generation of idealistic reformers gave way to hard-headed pragmatists intent on securing worldly power for the Church. Whilst such a conception may be a cliché its effect has been to concentrate scholarship more on the schism of 1130 and its effects than on Innocent II himself. This volume puts Innocent at the centre, bringing together the authorities in the field to give an overarching view of his pontificate, which was very important in terms of the internationalization of the papacy, the internal development of the Roman Curia, the integrity of the papal state and the governance of the local church, as well as vital to the development of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Empire.
Pope John Paul II
by Editors of Reader's DigestFrom his survival of Nazi-occupied Poland to his joining the priesthood and ascension to the papacy, this account of Pope John Paul II offers unique insight to the man who would be pope with personal stories from not only those who new him from the church, but classmates and friends as well. Discover the athletic, the political, and most recently, the beatified, Pope John Paul II. In this ebook you will discover: Personal stories written by friends and classmates, teachers, and fellow clergy An account of his death and details of his funeral as the world mourned, including Cardinal Ratzinger's emotional homily. Details on the miracle - chosen out of hundreds attributed to him - that sent on him on the road to sainthood A full update of his life that includes his May 2011 beatification and the rigorous process of sainthood. Discover an athletic Karol Wotjyla, who hiked, biked, skied, and kayaked in his long life His efforts for Poland's freedom involving Solidarity, the Vatican, the Polish government, the White House, and the Kremlin
Pope John Paul II
by George E. StanleyPope John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Poland. As a child Karol excelled in school -- especially in religion and literature. He was a star soccer player and also hiked and kayaked. But most of all Karol loved poetry and theater. Although Karol was liked and respected by his peers, his childhood was touched by tragedy. His mother passed away when he was only nine years old, and three years later his beloved older brother, Edmund, died from scarlet fever. Karol grew up in a time of great uncertainty for Poland. Although he was born into an independent Poland, he was a young man during the Nazi occupation of his homeland in World War II. When many Poles were anti-semitic, Karol had Jewish friends; when his country turned its back on religion, Karol studied in secret to become a priest. This fascinating biography details Karol's childhood and the events that led him to be named Pope John Paul II in 1978.