Showing recalls tenth anniversary of his death; airs a week after Pope John Paul II Day April 2
NEW HAVEN, CT, April 1, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - A new documentary on Pope St. John Paul II and his relationship with North and South America will screen on Canada's Salt + Light Television network on Sunday, April 12, at 9 p.m. Eastern time, and will stream live on the network's website.
The documentary will follow Canada's national observance of the 10th anniversary of the pontiff's death – the inaugural Pope John Paul II Day – on Thursday, April 2.
"John Paul II in America: Uniting a Continent" explores how the papacy of St. John Paul II left an indelible mark on the Western Hemisphere.
Driven by his singular understanding of a "united American continent" under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John Paul II's papal travels from Argentina to Alaska – 22 journeys, including three to Canada – generated massive crowds, helped form an entire generation of Catholics, and continue to shape contemporary history.
Narrated by actor Andy Garcia, the film features rare archival footage and analyses from leading figures, including Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson; founding CEO of Salt + Light Basilian Father Thomas Rosica; New Brunswick Lt. Gov. Graydon Nicholas; and John Paul's biographer, George Weigel.
"John Paul II brought a great renewal of confidence, excitement, and joy to Christian life that was manifested in such events as the canonization of St. Juan Diego in Mexico City and the World Youth Days in Buenos Aires, Denver and Toronto," said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "He also issued a renewed call for human dignity, for the gospel of life, respect for indigenous people, and a commitment to the poor throughout Latin America and North America."
John Paul II became the first pope to set foot on Canadian soil when he launched a 12-day pastoral visit there in 1984.
Anderson said viewers will be both intrigued and moved by the documentary's unprecedented framework for understanding one of the giant figures of modern times.
The documentary will also be shown this month on CatholicTV, the television network of the Archdiocese of Boston, which can be seen on Roku and Google TV, and on Nuevo Mundo, a Spanish-language channel in Montreal.
For more information about the film, including broadcast times and the DVD release, visit www.kofc.org/jpiifilm
SOURCE Knights of Columbus
Image with caption: "Knights of Columbus announce a new documentary on the impact of Pope John Paul II on the Americas in time for Pope John Paul II Day in Canada. Information at www.kofc.org/jpiifilm (CNW Group/Knights of Columbus)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150401_C4166_PHOTO_EN_13870.jpg
Joe Cullen, 203-800-4923, [email protected]; or Andrew Walther 203-752-4253, [email protected]
Share this article