Pope’s new book includes account of moments after shooting

AN ITALIAN publishing house gathered together Rome’s glitterati last night for the official launch of Pope John Paul II’s new book, hoping the work that includes his first public description of the moments after he was shot can become an international best seller.

Top prelates sat side-by-side with politicians, industrialists and titled nobility for the event in the Palazzo Colonna, which was built by a 15th century pope.

The Rizzoli publishing house, which holds the worldwide rights, announced that the book, Memory and Identity, would come out in 14 editions in 11 languages over the next few months.