The icon is the gift John Paul II made to the world´s universities during their special Jubilee last Sept. 10. The image will visit academic institutions worldwide. It is a marble, ceramic and metal mosaic, made by artist Marko Ivan Rupnik, who wished to blend elements of the artistic tradition of Eastern and Western Christianity.
After being exhibited in Kiev, the image will go on pilgrimage to Odessa, Donezk, Lvov and other Ukrainian cities. The Pope is due to visit Ukraine in June.