Pope St John Paul II by Mirko Bratuša

Pope St John Paul II by Mirko Bratuša

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On December 3rd 1978, St John Paul II (r. 1978-2005) paid a visit to the 20th century church of San Francesco Saverio alla Garbatella, his first official visit to a Roman parish as Pope.  As a student in Rome after World War II, Karol Wojtyla would often assist with pastoral work in this part of the city. 

A bronze statue of Pope St John Paul II by the Slovenian sculptor Mirko Bratuša (b. 1963) commemorates the visit. 

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