An English-language edition of memoirs by the longtime personal secretary to Pope John Paul II went on sale this week. A Life with Karol: My Forty-Year Friendship with the Man Who Became Pope, by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, offers the unique perspective of the cleric who worked closely with the late Pontiff both in Krakow and in Rome.
Cardinal Dziwisz was a young Polish priest when he first began working as an aide to then-Archbishop Wojtyla of Krakow.
He continued working closely with the future Pontiff during his confrontations with Polish Communist officials.
Later in Rome he was riding in the popemobile beside John Paul II on May 13, 1981, when the Pope was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca.
He remained at the Pope's side throughout his 26-year pontificate, as an eyewitness to the events of a historic papacy, and was with John Paul II as he died.
Although he generally steers clear of controversy in his account, Cardinal Dziwisz does provide a few new revelations about the life of the beloved Polish Pope.
He discloses, for instance, that on occasions early in his pontificate, John Paul II stole away from the Vatican in disguise to enjoy a day of skiing or hiking.
He also reveals that the Pope considered resignation as his health deteriorated. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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