The giant collage portrait of Blessed John Paul II. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk

To mark the beatification of John Paul II, a number of events have taken place across Poland, with thousands of Poles attending ceremonies up and down the country.

In the southern town of Wadowice, the birthplace of John Paul II, the Vatican beatification Mass was relayed live to big screens in the town’s market square, after which a thanksgiving Mass was held.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk was also present at the events in Wadowice, while in nearby Krakow, over 120,000 faithful descended upon the Temple of Divine Mercy in the city’s Lagiewniki district.

Meanwhile, in Poland’s capital, the faithful gathered in Pilsudski Square to watch the beatification proceedings, as well as the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw’s district of Wilanow.

A collage portrait of John Paul II, made up of over 100,000 photos sent in from around the world, was also unveiled at the Warsaw Temple. (jb)

Audio report by Alicja Baczynska