Vatican releases DVDs detailing Pope John Paul II, papal transition

Published: 2007-03-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican released a complete catalog of DVDs documenting the life and death of Pope John Paul II, the papal transition of 2005 and the Second Vatican Council, as well as what goes on behind Vatican City's walls. To mark the second anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican television center presented a full-color, two-page catalog showcasing the seven DVD collections for sale. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said at a March 27 press conference that the collection is unique "because CTV (Vatican television center) cameramen can get close to the pope" and capture images and events that other television crews cannot. For example, the hourlong documentary, "Benedict XVI: The Keys of the Kingdom," starts out by giving the viewer a ride in the back seat of the popemobile. The camera peers over Pope John Paul's shoulder and shows crowds waving to him as the pope is driven home from Rome's Gemelli hospital a few weeks before his death on April 2, 2005.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .