Arte Poli Gallery -- Rome, Italy

Destination: Should travel restrictions open in time, anyone heading for Rome may want to schedule a stop to see an exhibit only a few steps from the Vatican, on the 42nd anniversary of the election of St. John Paul II.

Masses are not held at the exhibit, but there are plenty of options in Rome. Check the internet before you go. 

Photo: Alessia Giuliani and her father, Giancarlo, both photojournalists, are pictured in front of their exhibit of photos from the pontificate of St. John Paul II in Rome Oct. 16, 2020. Both photographers contributed photos to Catholic News Service for many years. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Why to go: The exhibit opened to celebrate the Polish-born pope, and a father-daughter team of photographers who helped document his pontificate. 

Giancarlo Giuliani began covering the Vatican as a photojournalist in 1961. His daughter, Alessia Giuliani, joined him in 1999. 

The COVID-19 lockdown and ongoing restrictions meant that most of the events planned in Rome to mark the centenary of St. John Paul’s 1920 birth were canceled or postponed. 

But at the Arte Poli gallery, from Oct. 16 to April 2, 2021, visitors can glimpse the late pope’s personality through the Giulianis’ photographs and through objects the pope used, speeches written in his own hand and sculptures of him loaned to the exhibit. 

For the elder Giuliani there is no doubt who was his favorite pope to photograph. St. John Paul “was an actor,” who was comfortable in front of the cameras and who “would let us work,” he said. 

Giancarlo Giuliani, a contributing photographer for Catholic News Service for many years, accompanied the pope on 103 of his 104 foreign trips.

Hours: The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday,10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. Details about entrance and booking guided tours are available by phone or email.

Accessibility: Ask when you organize your visit.

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.

Info: Address — Galleria Arte Poli, Borgo Vittorio 88, zona Basilica di S.Pietro, ROMA 
Phone —  39-06- 68309510 or 39-33-81363298
Website — https://www.poliartesacra.com/en/index.php
Email — galleria@progettoartepoli.com

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story; CNS contributed

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