Thriller about the Pope's assassination premieres at Gdynia Film Festival

A new film by acclaimed Polish director Władysław Pasikowski, "Assassination of the Pope," will have its world premiere on the second day of the 50th Gdynia Film Festival.

Polish actor Bogusław Linda in a still from the film “Zamach na papieża” (“Assassination of the Pope”, 2025), directed by Władysław Pasikowski.

Kino Świat

The movie is inspired by real events surrounding the 1981 attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II, one of the Cold War’s most mysterious intelligence operations.

It stars Polish actor Bogusław Linda and explores the political tensions behind the Vatican assassination attempt.

The movie is competing in the festival’s Main Competition alongside 15 other titles for the Golden Lions, Poland’s top film award.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, 27 September, at the festival’s closing gala.

Assassination of the Pope will be released in cinemas across Poland a day earlier, on Friday, 26 September 2025.

Read more about this topic:

• 50th Gdynia Film Festival kicks off with record attendance
• Veteran Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski honored by international film critics’ organization

(mp)