Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II was a charismatic, talented and smart man who came into the office at a time of crisis in the Church. For non-Catholics this largely means nothing but for us Catholics who lived during his reign as Pope, this film was an excellent reminder of the man who sincerely believed in the goodness of humanity and who struggled to extend the basic teaching of Christianity, namely love and tolerance, to all. The presentations by Cary Elwes and Jon Voight as the Pope in his youth and senescent years was very impressive. Alas, like his predecessor, Paul VI, he chose to ignore important recommendations of Vatican II on birth control and abortion but in spite of his failing health, he did respond quickly to the crisis of sexual abuse by predator priests and the shameful cover-ups that scandalized the Church in the US. He was a popular Pope and deservedly so. He is missed by those of us who knew him.
Review of Faith: Pope John Paul II
