A portrait of John Paul II comprising thousands of photos of Poles is to hang at the National Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw on the day of the late pontiff’s beatification on 1 May.

The portrait, which measures 55 by 46 metres, will adorn the front of the votive church, considered one of the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Poland.

Even though there have been 23,000 photos collected so far, the collage is reported to be able to fit as many as 500,000 small images, depicting individuals or whole families.

“It will be clear enough for people to be able to recognise their photos, however,” Anna Hetman from the Centre of Divine Providence, which is organising the project told Polish Radio.

Photos which will make up the giant collage portrait, having a surface area of over 2,500 metres, are to be accepted until the 15 April and can be sent via a number of services, such as mobile MMS services or through the organisation’s website. (jb)