SCREENING OF FILM ON THE LIFE OF JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2006 (VIS) - In the Paul VI Hall yesterday evening, the film "Karol, un Papa rimasto uomo" (Karol, a Pope Who Remained a Man) was screened in the presence of the Holy Father. The film, by the Italian director Giacomo Battiato, recounts the second part of the life of John Paul II, the first part having been narrated in an earlier film, "Karol un uomo diventato Papa" (Karol, a Man Who Became Pope), screened in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of Benedict XVI in May 2005, shortly after the death of John Paul II.

  After the showing of the made-for-television film, the Pope expressed his thanks to Giacomo Battiato and his collaborators, including the actor Piotr Adamczyk who plays the role of John Paul II, for the "knowledge and talent" with which they presented "the central moments of the apostolic ministry of my venerated predecessor."

  "With this second episode of the film, the story of the earthly life of the beloved Pontiff comes to an end," said the Pope. "Once again we heard the opening appeal of his pontificate, which sounded out so often down the years: 'Open the doors to Christ! Do not be afraid!' The ensuing images showed us a Pope immersed in contact with God and, for this very reason, ever sensitive to the expectations of mankind. The film caused us to reconsider his apostolic journeys all over the world; it gave us the opportunity to relive his meetings with so many people, with the great ones of the earth and with ordinary citizens, with illustrious figures and with unknown individuals. Among all these, special mention should be made of his embrace with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, united to John Paul II by an intimate spiritual harmony. Horrified as if we were present, we reheard the shots of the tragic attempt on his life in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981.

  "From all this," Pope Benedict went on, "emerged the figure of a tireless prophet of hope and peace, who travelled the roads of the earth to communicate the Gospel to everyone. His vibrant words returned to our minds, condemning totalitarian regimes, murderous violence and war; words full of consolation and hope expressing his closeness to the relatives of victims of conflict and dramatic terrorist attacks, such as that against the Twin Towers in New York; courageous words of denunciation towards consumer society and hedonistic culture which aims to create a purely material wellbeing that cannot satisfy the profound needs of the human heart."
AC/FILM/JOHN PAUL II                            VIS 20060331 (440)