Diplomats From Around the World Saw the Exhibition “Masterpieces from the Vatican” in Warsaw

fot. Sr. Amata CSFN

70 ambassadors and representatives of countries from around the world visited the exhibition “Masterpieces from the Vatican” in Warsaw, organized on the centennial of the birth of St. John Paul II. The meeting took place on June 10^th.

“Masterpieces from the Vatican. The exhibition on the centennial of the birth of John Paul II” is a meeting with one of the most outstanding figures of our times. It was officially opened on May 13^th of this year. on the 40^th anniversary of the attempt on the life of the Polish Pope.

Apostolic Nuncio in Poland, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, who together with the Royal Castle Museum hosted the meeting on June 10^th, was pleased that so many distinguished guests came: “I am very pleased with this meeting and the visit of the ambassadors for the Vatican exhibition in Warsaw. This exhibition is a foretaste of the treasures of the Vatican, as well as a special occasion for the centennial of the birth of St. John Paul II, the greatest son of the blessed Polish land,” said Archbishop Pennacchio.

At the exhibition “Masterpieces from the Vatican” you can admire not only remarkable artifacts from the Vatican Museum, but also many documents, manuscripts, and various souvenirs from the life and work of Karol Wojtyła. The whole was divided into four periods of the Pope’s life. Commentaries, including the words of John Paul II referring to art and culture, help to understand the displayed art works.

Visitors to the exhibition could admire, among other things, a copy of the famous painting “Ecce Homo” by St. Brother Albert, liturgical vestments of John Paul II, documents from the time of his studies, as well as works by outstanding Italian artists, including Fra Angelico’s “Madonna.”

The exhibition impressed, among others, the Italian ambassador to Poland, Mr. Aldo Amati: “When I think about John Paul II, I immediately realize the enormous influence that this Pope had on Italy’s public opinion in general, because he was not only an extraordinary Pope who went on pilgrimage to all the continent, but he was above all a point of reference for Europe in the face of communism,” emphasized the ambassador.

“This is a great exhibition. John Paul II is also a significant figure for Israel, for Jews; he often said that Jews and Christians are brothers. He fought anti-Semitism. We are very grateful to him. I am glad that I had the opportunity to learn more about his life, about his past. It was amazing,” said Ms. Tal Ben-Ari Yaalon, Israel’s diplomatic representative.

The ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mrs. Clementine Shakembo Kamanga also commented on the exhibition: “It was wonderful for me because when he became Pope he visited Congo, Kinshasa, at the beginning of his pontificate. It was wonderful for us because we learn about the Pope John Paul II everywhere, and we are there.”

“I learned a great deal. I thought I knew a lot about the Pope, but there are so many objects and artifacts here that were special to him. His contacts and interests, the way he promoted them through his appreciation of art; so, that was also very interesting. I really enjoyed the exhibition,” said Ms. Mary Thurston, New Zealand’s ambassador to Poland.

The exhibition “Masterpieces from the Vatican” can be visited until next Sunday, June 13^th.