Pope Fire

On October 15, 2007, the Vatican News Service broadcast an image that they said showed a fiery representation of Pope John Paul II. Believers say the image shows John Paul II with his right hand raised in blessing. The photo of the fire was taken during a ceremony in Poland to mark the second anniversary of his death.

Fast Facts

1. Image was captured by Gregorz Lukasik
2. Bonfire was lit for the service at Beskid Zywiecki near John Paul's birthplace
3. The pictures were broadcast continuously on Italian television and on religious websites
4. John Paul II was born in Poland in 1920
5. John Paul II served as Pope from 1978 until his death in 2005
6. John Paul II was replaced by Benedict XVI

Quotes

"I was so happy with the picture that I showed it to our local bishop who said that Pope John Paul had made many pilgrimages during his life and he was still making them in death."-Gregorz Lukasik, photographer of the image¹

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