Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Museum of Art

Past Exhibitions


A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and The Jewish People

April 14 – August 12, 2007

This national exhibition celebrated the legacy of Pope John Paul II. It included eight-foot-high replicas of vintage photographs and postcards which served as the exhibit walls. These photographs, along with artifacts and videos, took visitors back in time to pre-war Wadowice, the Krakow Ghetto during World War II, and Cardinal Wojtyla’s ministry in Krakow and Rome. Visitors had the opportunity to symbolically retrace the Pope‘s steps and learn about Jewish life during World War II by walking through a re-creation of the gate of the Krakow Ghetto. As visitors left the exhibition, they were able to write prayers and place them in a replica of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, just as the Pope did during his visit to Israel in 2000. These prayers were later transported to Jerusalem upon the exhibition‘s closing.

Image: Pope John Paul II meeting Elio Toaff, Chief Rabbi of Rome ©2005 A Blessing to One Another

 

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