His Holiness

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Political Biography - Rated
Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi, investigative journalist, argue that Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan conspired to hasten the collapse of Soviet Communism. Some of the evidence they cite includes the CIA's support of the Polish Solidarity Movement and the sharing of American military intelligence with the Pope.

There is a brief history of Pope John Paul II's life and his ascendancy to the Seat of Peter. The coverage of the Pope's early life up until his ascension to the throne was very interesting and pretty well done. And we get a brief look inside of the Vatican's political apparatus. Even though I felt that there appears to be an anti-Catholic agenda in the later half of the book, it is worth reading. John Paul II was a gift to the world in our lifetime whose main message was that we could be better than we are. The author seems to forget that the Pope is Catholic first and last. He always did take the highest Catholic stance on matters of faith and morals as would be expected of a pontiff. I found this an interesting and fast read.

Truly remarkable - Rated
It is not for me to sit on judgement on the present or any other Pope. Having read this book however, I think that humanity everywhere on earth should be grateful to God the Almighty that we have had such a capable person as Pope for the last 20 years. He has accomplished so much in every continent despite all difficulties, opposition fronm all quarters, and despite ,even, attempts on his life. His courage and faith are really magnificent--he is an inspiration to us all. Ad multos annos, I say