1920-2005

"Nearly a billion believers consider Pope John Paul II to be God's mouthpiece on earth. He wields extraordinary influence as a world statesman. Thus it was a real coup when Tad Szula, author of 18 books and once a reporter for the New York Times, obtained unprecedented interviews with the pontiff and his associates, as well as access to private documents. Here is Szulc's unauthorized, yet sympathetic biography. Szulc discloses how Eastern bloc communists helped Karol Wojtyla (the polish pontiff's given name) climb to the papacy, then later plotted to neutralize him as Pope. We also learn that John Paul II, while he was Cardinal Wojtyla, drafted Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae vitae on contraception. Now, as the next millennium approaches, is the Pope presiding over one of the Catholic Church's deepest periods of crisis? "Vital reading about one of the most important figures of our time.".

A fascinating profile of one of the most influential leaders of our lifetime: Pope John Paul II. Reported by NBC News' Keith Morrison. Includes rare archival footage. A bonus extra includes "The Sistine Chapel Restored." Also, "The Making of a Saint.".

Relates the life of the Polish priest, Karol Wojtyla, who rose through the Catholic Church to become Pope John Paul II.

This book details Karol Wojtyla's childhood and the events that led him to be named Pope John Paul II in 1978.

Jack Ryan, having jumped at the offer to join the CIA as a freelance analyst in the early 1980s, quickly finds himself in over his head when he uncovers a KGB plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II.

Karol Wojtyla was born in a small Polish town and in October, 1978 he became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

Traces the life of Karol Wojtyla from his childhood and student years in Poland through his ordination as a priest, his election as Pope John Paul II, and his efforts to strengthen the Catholic Church.

A collection of quotations and speeches which reflect Pope John Paul II's thoughts on family, faith, life, and God's love, taken from his talks with children and young adults.

Journalist Sarah Monterio teams up with mysterious priest/assassin Rafael to investigate a plot against the papacy when an assassination attempt is made on the life of Pope John Paul II shortly after the suspicious death of his predecessor.

Presents a biography of Pope John Paul II, examining his stand on some of the major questions that face humankind at the millennium, discussing his efforts to connect with other religious communities, and including translations of his poetry, as well as personal anecdotes by loved ones.