Pope’s new book to be released on May 18

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The latest book written by John Paul II, entitled “Rise, Let Us Be Going,” recalling his life experience as a bishop, will be release  in Italian on May 18th by Mondadori Publishers, the Vatican announced today.

Mondadori also announced that by the same date, which coincides  with the Pope’s 84th birthday,  they expect the book to also be available on that date time in English, French, Spanish and German.

The title of the book is taken from Jesus’ words in the Gospel according to Mark (14:42) and refers to the passage in which He speaks to Peter, James and John in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to being arrested.

The book is 200 pages long and contains more than 40 short chapters.

The Pope, who wrote part of the book by hand and dictated part of it, narrates the twenty years of his ministry as bishop, from his ordination in 1958 up to his election to the pontificate in 1978. 

“It is a collection of memories and reflections on the events of that period,” said Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, during the conference.

Navarro-Valls also said that John Paul II wrote this book between March and August of 2003.

A heavy work load for the Holy Father, leaving him little time to review it and make any revisions or additions, as well as demands of the editorial process, delayed its publication until this year, he explained.

After the publication of the book on priesthood on the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, the Pope welcomed suggestions, according to Navarro-Valls, that he write another book about his pastoral experience as a bishop.

A representative of Mondadori Publishers, which is responsible for the Italian edition of the book, recalled the success of the Pope’s book, “Crossing the Threshold of Hope,” which sold 20 million copies.