Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) - Hand-signed photo + document [Pope second visit to Austria] - 1988

Fine Colour portrait photo, boldly signed, with the place and date, “Joannes Paulus PPII Österreich 22-27 Lunii 1988”, showing him three quarters length giving a blessing, 11½” x 8”, Austria 23-27th June 1988.
Together with a typewritten letter signed, dated 10th March 2020, from retired Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz attesting to the authenticity of the signed photograph. For more than 25 years, Dziwisz was personal secretary to Karol Wojtyla and the person closest to him during his long reign as pope.
It is uncommon to find formal portraits bearing more than the signature of the pope. This is particularly desirable in that it comes with excellent provenance. Also included is a set of eight Austria postal cachet covers commemorating Pope John Paul’s 1988 trip to Austria.
On his coronation to the papacy, John Paul adopted the name of his predecessor in tribute to him (Albino Luciani - John Paul I, who reigned for 33 days). John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century and the second-longest serving pope in modern history.
He sought to improve interfaith relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He maintained the Church’s previous position on such matters as abortion, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, while supporting reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Nevertheless he was viewed as generally conservative in the interpretation of Council decisions.
John Paul II was one of the most travelled of world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1340 and canonised 483 people, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death he had named most of the members of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated many of the world’s bishops, and ordained scores of priests. He has also been credited with helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and the rest of Europe.
John Paul’s cause for sainthood commenced one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. On 19th December 2009, he was proclaimed venerable by his successor, Benedict XVI, and beatified on 1st May 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to his intercession, the healing of a French nun called Marie Simon Pierre from Parkinson’s disease. A second miracle was approved on 2nd July 2013, and confirmed by Pope Francis I two days later. John Paul II was proclaimed a saint on 27th April 2014 together with John XXIII. Posthumously, John Paul II has been referred to by some as “St. John Paul the Great” although the title has no official recognition.