Pope Caesar's Wake

by Joe M. Ruggier

This collection consists of letters exchanged with John Paul II between 1981-2005, an AfterWord and two appendices. It is a tribute to the Pope from Poland-the first non-Italian in 400 years who enjoyed a reputation as a fine artist, and was shot for his principles. The first letter in the collection is my get-well letter to Pope Woytyla composed immediately following the assassination attempt of 1981. This book's dark, bitter humour, its satirical excesses, are not a Judgment of any one individual. They would have been the same were they penned for Saint Peter, for Pope Borgia, or for John Paul II. John Paul is the object of my satirical fancy, but not because I wish him harm. I do not satirize an individual but a mindset, and merely seek to disentangle Catholics and Artists. John Paul has been beatified by Benedict XVI. I rejoice with him in his hour of glory, merely reissuing these satirical fancies with a sense of humour knowing that many a truth is being said in jest. May everyone who reads this book clearly understand that John Paul was a Saint! This edition features 161 pp. of additons to the AfterWord and two new appendices one of which contains Notes for a new Religion presented as a Poem ... which have all been brewing in my imagination since the book first came out in 2005. There is nothing neurotic about these. They are a genuine inspiration confirming just how meaningful this book is to me - but I wish the inspiration will write itself out. I stand in my own person behind every criticism, and every sincere compliment, that I make unto Christ Himself in this AfterWord, thereby guaranteeing its candour and good Faith.

648 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2005