One of the first questions in the book might well be summed up in a sense as 'who do you think you are?' Messori asks this with all its possible meanings; the Pope addresses the answers - does the Pope represent anything more than the remnant of powerful historical mythology, or is there something more? The Pope recasts the question, as he does occasionally in this text, seeking greater clarification. Rather than answering the question 'who do you think you are?', he changes it to 'why be afraid of who you are?' This is question that applies not simply to the Pope, but to all of us, as we stand before God as part of God's creation.

The portion of the text that deals with Mariology is particularly interesting, given Pope John Paul II's particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here one gets some of the deepest of emotions from the Pope, as he talks about his spiritual life in both mystical and practical terms.

This is not a systematic theology; it is more a series of reflective responses to questions posed by someone outside formal theological tradition (although it is obvious that Messori's questions have theological depth). This spans the life of the Pope, from his early days in Poland to recent times in the Vatican; he refers to theologians and figures Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox, as well as people beyond the Christian traditions. He speaks with hopefulness toward a day when there will be greater Christian unity, and cooperation and mutual community with other religious traditions such as Judaism.

This is a good text in which to see the heart of the Pope.

In this book we read Pope John Paul II’s views on a variety of the issues which capture the imagination of the modern public. Among the topics covered are The Papacy, Prayer, and How the Pope Prays. He expounds on Jesus, His role as the Son of God, the existence of God and its proof and why God seems to be hiding. We listen at the feet of the Master as he explains the meaning of salvation, comments on the multitude of religions, evangelization and the future of the Church. The Pope’s enthusiasm for the young and his passion for human rights leap from the pages.

The reader of this book gets the kernel of John Paul II’s teaching condensed into a book which is readable and understandable to a broad range of the public. The message of this spokesman for Christ comes through clearly and forcefully. I cannot recommend this book too highly. Be Not afraid! Pick up and Read!