VATICAN CITY, APRIL 10, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is highlighting the prayer and missionary zeal of Pope John Paul II, as illustrated in a new documentary film created for the May 1 beatification of the Pontiff.
On Saturday the Pope attended the screening of a Polish-language documentary film, «Jan Paweł II. Szukałem Was» [The Pilgrim Dressed in White], that recounts key moments of his predecessor’s pontificate.
The film, produced by a Polish director, Jarosław Szmidt Artrama, includes several testimonies from religious leaders and other personalities from the worlds of media, culture, science and politics.
In his address after viewing the four-hour film, Benedict XVI highlighted «two hinges» of John Paul II’s life and ministry: prayer and missionary zeal.
He affirmed: «John Paul II was a great contemplative and a great apostle of Christ.
«God chose him for the See of Peter and he has led all of us in this pilgrimage and he continues to accompany us from heaven.»
The Pontiff noted that «there are now many audio-visual works that have the figure of John Paul II for their object, among which are various documentaries produced by television broadcasters.»
«There are certain elements that distinguish this film, ‘The Pilgrim Dressed in White,’ in this panorama,» he added, «for example, the interviews with aides close [to John Paul II], the testimonies of famous people, the wealth of documentation.»
«All of this has the aim of faithfully bringing out both the personality of the Pope and his untiring work during the period of his long pontificate,» the Holy Father affirmed.
He noted, «Because of the seriousness with which it was prepared, the quality of its making, this film belongs among the more valuable gifts to the public offered on the occasion of the upcoming beatification of my beloved predecessor.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://zenit.org/article-32280?l=english
On the Net:
Film Web site (in Polish): http://www.jp2szukalemwas.pl/
