A preeminent authority on the Catholic Church and papal biographer describes what he learned from chronicling the life of Pope John Paul II
In Lessons in Hope, George Weigel tells the story of his unique friendship with St. John Paul II. As Weigel learns the pope “from inside,” he also offers a firsthand account of the tumult of post-Vatican II Catholicism and the Cold War’s endgame, introducing readers to the heroes who brought down European communism. Later, he shows us the aging pope grappling with the post-9/11 world order and teaching new lessons in dignity through his own suffering.
- Witness To Hope by George Weigel
- George Weigel
- Scrutiny Sheet from the Conclave that Elected St. Pius X
- Pius X: A Papal Mace being Examined by George Weigel & Fr. Kunst
- Various Papal Relics: Fr. Kunst & George Weigel
The Diocese of Duluth and the home parish of the Curator of Papal Artifacts, Father Richard Kunst, were treated to a rare opportunity to spend an evening with George Weigel.
He is the Distinguished Senior Fellow of The Ethics and Public Policy Center, and is the most comprehensive biographer of Saint Pope John Paul II, a Catholic theologian and one of America’s leading intellectuals.
We are honored to share this event with you and are adding this YouTube of his presentation that has just been made available.

Bishop Robert Barron Book Review of “Lessons In Hope”
A Book Review on Lessons In Hope by Bishop Robert Barron
George Weigel’s latest book, “Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II,” is the third panel in a great triptych he has composed in honor of the most consequential Catholic figure of the second half of the twentieth century.