PAUL VI

born September 26, 1897, Concesio, near Brescia, Italy died August 6, 1978, Castel Gandolfo original name Giovanni Battista Montini Italian pope of the Roman Catholic church (reigned 196378) during a period including most of the second Vatican Council (196265) and the immediate postconciliar era, in which he issued directives and guidance to a changing Roman Catholic church. His pontificate was confronted with the problems and uncertainties of a church facing a new role in the contemporary world. Additional reading Jos Luis Gonzlez and Thomas Perez, Paul VI trans. from Spanish (1964), is a biography essential to an understanding of the man; substantial extracts from his discourses and other public pronouncements are included. James F. Andrews (ed.), Paul VI: Critical Appraisals (1970), is a collection of essays, some strongly disapproving of Paul's position on controversial issues. A more balanced view of his pontificate is presented by Peter Hebblethwaite, The Year of Three Popes (1979), and Paul VI: The First Modern Pope (1993).