Karol and courage: do not be afraid he said ...

I'm sure you remember John Paul II's invitation to us not to be afraid . If you do or even if you don't be sure to listen to a feature put together at the time of this Polish Pontiff's pontificate which focuses on this theme and includes the personal witness of some of those who knew him, as well as a selection of recordings of his voice from our Vatican Radio archives.

Among the witnesses are one of his closest advisors Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze who comments as to how : ..."Pope John Paul II put the Church on the map of the world and in the corridors of those who make policies as perhaps no other pope in our time...you know where he stands on major problems touching church and society...he is not afraid.. ".

Among the excerpts is the following in which the this future Blessed highlights the plight of : "...the poor people ..poor in different ways, not only lacking food but also deprived of freedom and other human rights.. ", condemning those: " ...who take these goods away from them ammassing to themselves the imperialistic monopoly of economic and political supremacy at the expense of others ..".

Also in this feature you can hear from some of those who personally knew him back in Poland: a fellow student at school, a student of the future pope's at University, a personal friend and a Polish countess. All of whom recall the courage and moral strength of Karol Wojtyla both as a private and public figure. In a special way when he stood up to the repressive communist regime offering solidarity to those around him.

Giving an example echoed later on in his words as Roman Pontiff: .." for the the disciple of Christ solidarity is a moral duty stemming form the spiritual union of all human beings who share a common origin, a common dignity and a common destiny ..".

Listen to this programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick: