Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI has stressed 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 late 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.

Two hinges

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, Pope Benedict highlighted ‘two hinges’ of John Paul II’s life and ministry: prayer and missionary zeal.

“John Paul II was a great contemplative and a great apostle of Christ,” the Pope said. “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 Holy Father also 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. 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.”

Personal thanks

The Pope offered a personal vote of thanks to the filmmakers behind the documentary.

“I would like to offer a cordial greeting and a warm word of thanks too to the producers, to the makers of this documentary film on the Venerable Pope John Paul II,” he said. “I am happy to have been able to view it here in the Vatican and to express a warm appreciation for the work that was done, joining in the acclaim that the Polish hierarchy and some of my co-workers have already expressed.

“Thanks once more to all those who, in many ways, collaborated in the realisation of this film that helps us to value the luminous witness of Pope John Paul II. With this sentiment of gratitude, I bless all of you and your loved ones from my heart.”