Irish Politics, Current Affairs and Magazine Archive - Politico.ie

The hereditary peer who opposes the hereditary system, the pacifist who has sought out wars and revolutions, he has written a book about his experiences as a wartime pilot.

Twelve months is a short time. Yet for such an encouragingly energetic and tirelessly active Pope as John Paul II - so many speeches, so many trips - twelve months is a long time. There is no significant issue on which he has not already taken a definite stand; after just one year the contours of this pontificate stand out in bold and unmistakable relief.