Conversations in Castel Gandolfo (volumes 1 and 2)

Edited by Krzysztof Michalski

Every two years, during his summer vacation, John Paul II hosted the most prominent intellectuals from around the world at Castel Gandolfo and listened to their conversations devoted to the most important problems of the present day. These meetings were organized by the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, headed by Krzysztof Michalski and Father Józef Tischner. They discussed, among other things, the vision of human beings in modern science, the crisis, the idea of Europe, liberal society, "identity in times of change," the legacy of the Enlightenment and various concepts of time. The Pope called the meetings "a true celebration of the spirit." His guests included Ralf Dahrendorf, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Leszek Kolakowski, Emmanuel Lévinas, Bernard Lewis, Paul Ricoeur, Robert Spaemann and Charles Taylor.

The two comprehensive volumes, which collect the fruits of the conversations at Castel Gandolfo, provide a glimpse into one of the most interesting aspects of John Paul II's pontificate: they are a testament to his intellectual curiosity and openness, and at the same time a record of the interesting discussions that took place as he led the Church.

Just as in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo no two leaves are alike, so among John Paul II's guests there are no two indivisibilities alike. Nevertheless, there is a meeting ground, there is a home. I think to myself: this is what the Church of John Paul II looks like. Who knows, maybe we too will one day grow up to build such a Church? Józef Tischner