An exhibition has opened in Warsaw which shows images taken from the life Karol Wojtyła. The unique pictures depict the Polish Pope in his youth and as a young priest in the southern city of Kraków, before going on to become one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century.
 
John Beauchamp reports.
 
The exhibition is entitled "Cóż powiedzieć. Żal odjeżdżać," meaning 'What can I say, it's a shame to leave…' no doubt a reference to the Pope's love of his homeland. Yet the pictures which are on display are no doubt a testimony to this, as the new exhibition on Krasiński square shows. The Army Cathedral nests itself on the square, and its Bishop, Taduesz Płoski, comments on the exhibition: "This year, and in October in particular, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Karol Wojtyła's election to the popehood. This is an initiative which has been supported by the Church and artists to remind us of this event, when the words 'Habemus Papam' were particularly poignant to the Polish faithful. We want to remind everyone of those unique scenes from the life of the Holy Father, and to enrich the heritage which he left us as God's servant."
 
Many different photographs are on display, including images taken by the Pope's personal photographer, Arturo Mari. Zbigniew Gietka, the curator of the exhibition, explains how the photos portray more than just a Pope, but a man who enjoyed walking in the Polish mountains throughout his whole life: "From the beginning, when John Paul II was a youngster and known as Karolek Wojtyła, we have pictures thanks to the archives of the Archdiocese of Kraków. The images show a young man wandering in prayer; as a priest, as a bishop, as a cardinal and as the Pope."
 
The exhibition in Poland's capital also raises emotions and reminds us of the personage of John Paul, as Pallottine sister Teresa Małecka adds: "I'm extremely happy to see such an exhibition come to light, as the Holy Father shows testimonly that we should do everything to bring ourselves closer to God: this exhibition does just that."
 
The exhibition is open until the end of the month, and once the viewer sees the images of the life of Pope John Paul II, it would be a shame to leave, if not only to discover something greater within ourselves.