English Section

Global concert pays tribute to Polish-born pope John Paul II

22.06.2020 06:50
Musicians from 40 countries have taken part in an international online concert to mark 100 years since the birth of St. John Paul II, the Polish-born pope who led the Roman Catholic Church until 2005.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II Photo: Eric Draper (whitehouse.gov) [Public domain]via Wikimedia Commons

Artists from Poland, the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan performed in the event, including soloists from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, from the Polish National Opera and the Polish National Ballet.

The concert had originally been due to take place at the Lincoln Center in New York. Because of the coronavirus pandemic it was held online.

It included sacred and classical music such as works by Schubert, Mozart, Verdi and Polish composer Stanisław Moniuszko.

The event was held on Sunday under the auspices of Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, head of the Polish Episcopal Conference, the central authority of the Catholic Church in Poland.

Pope John Paul II led the Roman Catholic Church from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. He was a strong supporter of Poland's anti-communist Solidarity movement and is recognised as a key influence in helping to end communist rule in Poland in 1989.

He was the third longest-serving pontiff in history and was declared a saint in 2014.

(pk/gs)

Source: IAR