Keepers of the keys : John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II, three who changed the Church /

Former Time magazine Rome bureau chief and a member of the Vatican press corps from 1962 until his recent retirement, Wynn here tells the compelling story of his involvement with ``three who changed the church.'' Data presented on historic and contemporary events illuminate the extremely different characters of three of the most recent pontiffs and their effects on the religious and laity around the world. The author recalls hearty, practical John XXIII, instigator of reforms that symbolized hopes for unity and international peace. When ``the people's pope'' died in 1963 after only five years as the Vicar of Christ, he left a burden too heavy, according to critics, for gentle, esthetic Paul VI. The 15 years of Paul's papacy were darkened by international crises so grave that he occasionally despaired of fulfilling promises dictated by Vatican II. Yet, notes Wynn, the record proves that Paul, in his quiet way, accomplished more than he generally is credited for. With the election of the Polish pope John Paul II in 1978, hopes for further progress in Vatican policies arose again. The attractive, witty, vigorous pontiff was universally welcomed until he refused to change rules on matters of faith and morals. Equally resented and admired, John Paul II, concludes the author, stands like the Rock, St. Peter, on whom the church was built. (August) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Wynn, long-time Rome bureau chief for Time and dean of the Vatican press corps, offers a journalist's view of the most recent popes. Under several headingsincluding decision-making, public relations, finances, and diplomacyWynn deftly compares the styles of these three popes. He also treats objectively both the history of Papal anti-Semitismas a prelude to discussing the changed attitude toward the Jewsand the Vatican Bank scandal, providing information not available at the time. An excellent, unbiased study of the contemporary Papacy and its impact on the world community, offering personal glimpses as well as critical insight; highly recommended for general collections. Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, N.J. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A chat about three popes and their impact on history, by a veteran Vatican correspondent and former Rome bureau chief for Time. Wynn zeroes in on the personalities of the three last Popes (not much here about John Paul I, the Smiling Pope, who reigned for 33 days): John XXIII, fat, disorganized, avuncular; Paul VI, bureaucratic, ascetic, penitential (who sometimes wore a hair shirt with metal studs pointed inwards); John Paul II, handsome, powerful, intense. These traits, Wynn believes, colored-even created--each man's papacy. In an easy-read, newsmagazine manner, Wynn scans each Pope's contribution to international diplomacy, Vatican public relations, Church teachings and so on, pointing out a fact here, a little story there, working up a primer on papal power, offering no grandiose thesis beyond the simple observation that the man makes the office as much as the office makes the man. Good trivia, though: that John XXIII likes to lecture the Vatican deli about parmigiano cheese; that this same pope convened Vatican II believing it would last ""a few weeks""; that Paul VI screamed at LBJ to stop bombing Hanoi; that John Paul II read Marx during the enclave that elected him pontiff. Lightweight inside stuff, best when Wynn gets gossipy--as in his description of his dinner with John Paul II (""he often toyed with his cutlery. . .""), fading into dullness when tackling Vatican finances and bureaucracy. A good guide for the newcomer to Vaticania. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.