Ignatius Press Podcast

Jon Voight on Portraying Pope Saint John Paul II

Ignatius Press Podcast

Show Notes

Jon Voight joins the Ignatius Press podcast to discuss what it was like to portray arguably the most influential man of the 20th century—Pope St. John Paul II. RENT Movie Here: https://ignatius.com/pope-john-paul-ii-pjpiir/ STREAM Movie Here: https://ignatius.com/pope-john-paul-ii-digital-pjpiis/ Purchase DVD Here: https://ignatius.com/pope-john-paul-ii-pjpiim/?searchid=4550843&search_query=john+paul+II

Jon Voight is a renowned actor, having won an Academy Award and multiple Golden Globe Awards. But what many don’t know is that Pope St. John Paul II handpicked Jon to portray him in an earlier film project. While this original project never panned out, Jon Voight later accepted this role in a different film titled “Pope John Paul II” recounting the life of this great saint. We are honored to talk to Jon about his portrayal of John Paul II in this film and how this role brought him great peace and joy. Jon beautifully highlights the immense holiness of the pontiff and shares personal stories of meeting Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Dziwisz (JPII’s right hand man). Finally, Jon Voight promotes Pope St. John Paul II as a model particularly for young people as we face Communism and other great evils in our own time. This movie is truly masterfully acted and filmed, and it is one of the best ways to remember Pope St. John Paul II and be inspired by his life in Christ.

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