- John Paul II devoted an extremely long time to prayer. And then? He went for a siesta, that is, according to Italian custom, for a short nap?
- He rested, but listening to the books read by somebody. He absorbed knowledge; he wanted to get as much information as possible, to know different views. The reading lasted more than an hour and a half, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. And, then in the evening between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- Every day?
- Yes, every day. There may have been a few exceptions.
- Who read books to the Pope?
- We had a schedule. We signed up – one day I read, and another, sister Euphrosine, the Sacred Heart nun.
- Cardinal Dziwisz said that John Paul II had a very divisible attention. When the priest read the book, did the Pope do something different?
- No, he lay down and closed his eyes. Maybe he prayed? Contemplated? I do not know. But, what Cardinal Dziwisz said was confirmed by Sister Euphrosine. She once told me that before I started working in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father was reading books himself, and she at the same time read him articles from various magazines or another book.
The Pope was also learning the content of the books from the summaries. It was prepared by one of the nuns.
- She chose titles?
- No, the Pope did. He just didn't keep up with reading books that were sent by various publishing houses, individuals. He also received books during Wednesday's general audience. In the Apostolic Palace he looked at them and immediately segregated. He said: this one is going to the library, that one to the office, and we leave this title for vacations at Castel Gandolfo. He put aside some books for the nun, who was preparing summaries.
Secretary of two Popes – conversation with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki.
Wydawnictwo Literackie Publishing House
