Entitled La meta è la felicità (The Goal of Happiness), the book was published by Edizioni Ares. It contains 366 reflections on faith and other topics written by Wojtyła before being elected Pope.
The collection was compiled by Marina Olmo in collaboration with the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, eastern Poland, where Wojtyła lectured for over two decades.
In his preface, Pope Francis writes that “one cannot fully understand Saint John Paul II without knowing Karol Wojtyła, the origin of this saintly Pope, without discovering his personality, his work, his activity, and his teachings as a man, priest, bishop, and cardinal. This includes his special relationship with young people, his fatherly care for them, and the drama of his life, during which he lost all his family members one after the other.”
Pope Francis adds that “Saint John Paul II, despite the time that has passed since his pontificate, continues to be a source of inspiration and draws people to Christ through his way of life, the depth of his teachings, and his ability to connect with the lives of people. In today’s world, so restless and unpredictable, we particularly need his example and fatherly care.”
In his preface to The Goal of Happiness, the Pope expresses hope “that these 366 fragments, intentionally selected to accompany us with a thought for each day, touching on themes of human and Christian life, will bring forth abundant fruits of goodness.”
Cardinal Wojtyła was elected Pope at the age of 58 and served until his death just before his 85th birthday in 2005. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 and declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2014.
Source: Vatican News
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