New Polity Rocco Buttiglione: A Life Among Popes, Saints, and Politicians
Jun 5, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Rocco Buttiglione, an esteemed Italian philosopher and former politician, shares insights from his colorful life alongside popes and politicians. He reflects on his early experiences in post-WWII Poland and the warmth of his encounter with John Paul II, revealing how these moments shaped his faith. Buttiglione discusses the challenges of merging faith with politics, especially during authoritarian regimes, and highlights his friendship with Jorge Mario Bergoglio. His rich anecdotes bring to life a fascinating blend of theology and political philosophy.
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Modernity's True Challenge
- Modernity is a problem seeking salvation, not the solution itself.
- Salvation lies in the historical presence of Jesus Christ, marrying modern cultural freedom with Christian faith.
Heavy Burden of Smuggling
- Buttiglione was drawn into book smuggling reluctantly, sometimes carrying heavy parcels across borders.
- He recalls the professionalism and camaraderie involved, as well as the support from brave individuals like Wanda.
First Meetings with Wojtyla
- Buttiglione met Karol Wojtyla (later John Paul II) first as a boy in a crowd and then intellectually through writing a book on Wojtyla's philosophy.
- Wojtyla appreciated that an Italian wrote about his thought despite its limited reach at the time.
