The Hidden Pope: The Untold Story of a Lifelong Friendship That Is Changing the Relationship Between Catholics and Jews - The Personal Journey of John Paul II and Jerzy Kluger

by Darcy O'Brien

Describes the unique friendship between a Jew and a Christian that became forged between Karol Wojtyla and Jerzy Kluger in pre-World War II Poland and illuminates the many ways that Kluger and the Pope have worked together to promote ethnic tolerance. $250,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Jewish, Judaism, World War II

416 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 1998

About the author

Darcy O'Brien was born in Los Angeles, the son of Hollywood silent film actor George O’Brien and actress Marguerite Churchill.

O'Brien attended Princeton University and University of Cambridge, and received a master's degree and doctorate from the University of California, Berkely. From 1965 to 1978 he was a professor of English at Pomona College. In 1978 he moved to Tulsa, and taught at the Univesity of Tulsa until 1995.

O'Brien was married three times and had one daughter named Molly O'Brien.

O'Brien died of a heart attack in Tulsa on March 2, 1998.

Reviews

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I would never pick out to read but it was past on to me and I can never resist trying a book that's in front of me - I read the whole thing - OK, I did glaze over some chapters - but I got a whole new education about WWII and Poland's place in the war and people who actually lived through the whole thing. Amazing story...and imagine being baptized, first communion, confirmation and married by the pope! (not the friend but his grandaughter) - timely reading with the current popes trip is Israel.

[Martin Mostek · Rating 3 out of 5]

There once were two boys, Jurek and Lolek, classmates, living in a small Polish town. One was Jew, one Catholic and they were friends. Then came war and separated them, for decades. Both survived, Lolek remained in Krakow and became priest and bishop. Jurek lived through Soviet prison, fought with Polish army in Middle East,northern Africa and won decorations for valour under Monte Cassino. Then he settled in Italy started business and there he in mid 60ies heard about an archbishop from Krakow who made remarkable speech on one of sessions of Second Vatican Council.His name was Wojtyla. With some reluctance and trepidation Jurek get in contact with Polish prelate... and met Lolek again. Friend stayed in touch a meet frequently. Then came an autumn day in 1978. Jerzy Kluger was just in chair of his dentist, when he overheard in a radio, that new pope was elected. Then he heard that John Paul II who just started adressing crowd in piazza of St. Peter, and he heard it was Lolek. He met him soon again and then many times more. This book is at its best when chronicles first youth of future Pope and his Jewish friend, their schoolmates in Wadowice, then their ordeals during war and then discreet, long and complicated effort for dramatic change in Catholic-Jewish, and Vatican-Israeli relations. When it tackles history and relation of church teaching to Anti-Semitism it sadly lapses into too sweeping suggestion and rather shallow analysis. Still powerful and moving story of Kruger and Wojtyla, Jurek and Lolek, makes Hidden Pope interesting read.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a feel good book about the friendship between Karol Wojtyla (later to become Jean Paul II) and Jerzy Kluger a Jewish friend from childood. In Crossing the Threshhold to hope, Wojtyla specifically mentions how much his relationship with Kluger meant to him. Kluger and Wojtyla became friends when Wojtyla was 6 and Kluger was 5 in Wadowice a city in southern Poland with a large Jewish population.

Kluger and Wojtyla played on the same soccer team. They also frequently went skiing together. A one point the two were in love with the same girl, a jewess named Ginka Beer.

The two were separated by WWI. Kluger managed to escape to Palestine where he enlisted in the British Army serving in both North Africa and Italy. He married an Englishwoman who was also serving in the British Army. In the 1950s, Jerzy Kluger started a business . During the Vatican II Council, Kluger noticed Wojtyla's name in the newspapers. He contacted Wojtyla and the two were able to renew their friendship after a 20 year hiatus.

The contacts became more frequent after Wojtyla became Pope. The two even resumed going on skiing trips together. Kluger was instrumental in persuading Wojtyla to have the Vatican extend diplomatic relations to Israel. Kluger for his part gave countless interviews to the English-language press and biographers of Wojtyla that served to greatly enhance Wojtyla's reputation as a friend of the Jewish people.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no more controversial aspect to the history of the Roman Catholic Church than the relationship between Jews and Catholics. This book provides one angle on the controversy which is worth exploring.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful memoir by one of JPII's childhood friends. Impressive backdrop of WWII behind the story of a courageous friendship.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book- a very interesting insight to St. John Paul II, his past, and how this affected his life as a Pope.

[Mad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could give it 2.5 stars

There were sections of this book that I enjoyed immensely, notably the parts dealing with life prior to and during WW2. But the last few pages took a sharp turn and preached morality and ideology in a way that the entire rest of the book hadn't.

I also suspect that had I read this only a few months earlier I could have enjoyed it more, but I had not realized (somewhat naively) the role of Israel in the story, and reading something so clearly cheerleading a state currently engaged in an ethnic genocide was difficult to get behind.

[Marge Congress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This extrodinary book was a surprise to me. The author has combined a nearly word for word account of the friendship of Pope John Paul II and his Jewish childhood friend Jerzy Kluger. Every aspect of their lives are covered and the reader is unable to stop reading. The wartime experiences of the 2 friends was surprising and shocking. The work they did together to improve relations between the Church and Judaism is inspiring. I highly recommend this book.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biographical account. I believe I would have found it interesting, and hopeful, even if I wasn't Polish-Catholic! :) Hard to read the atrocities of World War II. Here's a quote I saved to mull over: "The riches of a soul are stored up in its memory... When we want to understand ourselves, to find out what is most precious in our lives, we search our memory." - Abraham Joshua Heschel

[Allan Wiener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable Person

Well written history of two friends who cherished their relationship in spite of different religious backgrounds and beliefs. The Pope demonstrated how exceptional a person he truly was. He overcame many obstacles to achieve what he devoutly believed in.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Pope Paul II has such humanity. I'm a Catholic who converted to Judaism, around the time I read this book. Loved the book, loved this Pope. He is a spiritual inspiration for me.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful historical account

The faith, courage, motivation and vision of JP2, his enduring friendships have shaped humanity better for brotherhood and enduring peace.

[Edward Weiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Learned a great deal about Pope John Paul II and Catholicism in general.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievably fantastic story-I enjoyed every word! Certainly opened my eyes and mind in so many ways! I learned so much.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fantastic book. It really opened my eyes to the life of John Paul and and his kind and his gentle. It got a little boring to the end, but the author's writing style was beautiful. Highly recommend to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

[Mary Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about Pope John Paul's relationship with his life long best friend Jerzy Kluger.

[Charlene Mathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good read! Compelling narrative, historic insights, and thought-provoking citations.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Biography.