WHEN A POPE ASKS FORGIVENESS
The Mea Culpa’s of John Paul II

This exceptional book was originally published in Italy in 1997. At that time John Thavis, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service, noted that “after nineteen years in the public eye, new discoveries about Pope John Paul II’s pontificate might seem highly unlikely. But an Italian journalist recently put his finger on a hidden theme of this papacy, a theme destined to take on crucial importance as the Church prepares for the year 2000.

“When the Pope outlined his plans for the jubilee year 2000 in 1994, he called on the Church to make a critical self-evaluation of its actions over the past centuries. The Pope’s decision intrigued Luigi Accattoli, who wondered why a Polish-born Pontiff known for his staunch defense of the Church and its institutions would initiate a critical review of Church behavior. He began researching speeches and made his surprising discovery, that Pope John Paul II had publicly admitted Church culpability 94 times, on topics ranging from the Inquisition to the treatment of women.”

When a Pope Asks Forgiveness contains Accattoli’s impressive research and the complete texts of John Paul’s “mea culpa” addresses to date. This timely book invites the reader to enter into an examination of conscience leading to the reconciliation of the human family for the Third Millennium.

About the Author: Luigi Accattoli has been Vatican correspondent for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera for sixteen years.

About the Translator: Jordan Aumann, OP, is an American Dominican based in Washington, D.C. He has authored and translated several books published by Alba House, New York.