A Pilgrim Pope

John Paul II has made it his mission to carry the word of Jesus Christ to the world. The most well-traveled pope in the history of the Catholic Church, he has redefined the role of the papacy by being an active, living presence in the lives of the diverse faithful worldwide. His 85 apostolic journeys have taken him to every continent; he has stood before both the richest and the most impoverished people on earth and delivered to them the same message of joy, hope, and comfort. A...
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John Paul II has made it his mission to carry the word of Jesus Christ to the world. The most well-traveled pope in the history of the Catholic Church, he has redefined the role of the papacy by being an active, living presence in the lives of the diverse faithful worldwide. His 85 apostolic journeys have taken him to every continent; he has stood before both the richest and the most impoverished people on earth and delivered to them the same message of joy, hope, and comfort. A Pilgrim Pope is a collection of the messages delivered by John Paul II in the course of his travels, from his departure from Poland in 1979 to his most recent trips to Mexico and St. Louis. The words are remarkable for their combination of a universal message and a keen awareness of the people to whom they are addressed, whether he is in Kenya, the Netherlands, Fiji, or places in between. Cardinal Achille Silvestrini has edited the collection into three parts: "Evangelization and Global Politics," "Solidarity and Unity," and "New Evangelization: Toward the Millennium and Beyond." Cardinal Silvestrini also provides helpful introductory notes that help clarify the time and the context in which the Holy Father is speaking.