Pope and I

Jerzy Kluger

In The Pope and I, Jerzy Kluger, a Polish-born Jew, tells of his lifelong friendship with Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope John Paul II. From their beginning as class-mates and neighbors, Kluger recounts his survival of the war and his astonishing reunion with Archbishop Wojtyla in Rome during Vatican II. After his friend’s election as pope, they continued their close friendship, with Kluger serving as an unofficial advisor in times that saw unprecedented advances in Jewish-Christian relations, including the first papal visit to the synagogue of Rome, John Paul’s pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Auschwitz, and Vatican recognition of Israel. 

A fascinating tale told with much charm, The Pope and I highlights the surprising confluences of history, politics, and religion sealed by friendship and mutual respect. 

“This often-touching memoir should be of interest to Catholics and Jews, and, really, anyone interested in a remarkable friend- ship.”

—Booklist 

“History rarely turns on personal friendship, but an exception must be made for Blessed John Paul II and his lifelong friend. . . . Mr. Kluger’s telling of this remarkable human story is full of insights into the character of his friend from small-town Poland who became one of the most consequential figures of the late twentieth century. . . .”

—George Weigel, biographer of Pope John Paul II