André Frossard, a famous French author and a personal friend of the Pope, has traveled widely with Pope John Paul II and conversed with him often on many topics. From his personal experiences and communications he has put together an intimate portrait of this great spiritual leader that combines anecdotes, reflections and personality-traits that allow the reader to gain new insight into what John Paul II is like-a new picture of him that is truly surprising.

This is not a strict biography chronologically arranged, but Frossard's impressions of the Pope, showing various aspects of the Pope's personality and spirituality and his reactions to different situations. Through this work of Frossard we are given an intimate glimpse of the Pope at various important points in his pontificate. The reader will be moved by this profound portrait of Pope John Paul II and will be able to conclude with the great Solzhenitsyn, "This Pope is truly a gift from God."

:A readable and captivating book for any Christian who senses that John Paul II is one of the truly great popes. The book is a close look, an intimate and discerning look, by a brilliant and witty Frenchman who is a friend of the Holy Father. It is full of insights that show John Paul's deep humility and patient leadership-neither liberal nor conservative but apostolic. I enjoyed it tremendously."

-Sheldon Vanauken
Author, A Severe Mercy