New Book Reveals JPII was Smuggled out of Vatican for Secret Ski-Trips
totalcatholic.comPosted on January 25, 2007
A NEW book written by Pope John Paul II’s former secretary has claimed that the Pope consulted with top aides in 2000 to discuss the possibility of resigning and formulate a “specific procedure” for papal resignations.
The book, A Life with Karol, by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, offers an inside glimpse at key moments of Pope John Paul's life in Poland and his 26-year pontificate.
It also indicates that in his last will and testament, Pope John Paul strongly hinted that he had considered resignation as he prepared to turn 80 in the year 2000. Cardinal Dziwisz said the pope decided at the time to consult on the question with his closest aides, including then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. The pope concluded that he would remain in office, saying that God had called him to the papacy and that "God will call me back, in the form that he wishes."
It also reveals that Pope John Paul II made more than 100 clandestine trips to ski or hike in the Italian mountains and was rarely recognised by others on the slopes.
An excerpt printed yesterday in the Rome newspaper Il Messaggero said that in the winter of 1981, the pope, his secretary and two of his Polish aides decided to make a "getaway" to the mountains from the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. They packed into a car owned by one of the priests, and when they passed the Swiss Guard post one prelate opened wide a newspaper to hide the pontiff in the back seat.
The book is due to be published in Polish and Italian at the end of the month.
posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 11:41 AM
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