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The Secret Letters of Pope John Paul II

17/02/2016

BBC Radio 4 - The Pope's Letters

Extracts from letters charting a friendship between Pope John Paul II and a married woman.

Edward Stourton presents extracts from newly discovered letters that chart a deep 32-year friendship between Pope John Paul II and a married woman.

Saint John Paul was one of the most famous faces of the 20th Century - during the years of his globetrotting pontificate he was probably seen by more people than anyone in history. Now, the discovery of hundreds of letters charting a deep friendship with a Anna-Teresa Tymiencka, a married woman for 32 years, has revealed a new side of his life. 

Edward Stourton presents extracts from the letters which convey John Paul's sense that she was a "gift" in his life and how important her companionship became to his role in the church.

This programme is only available within the UK.

Producer Phil Pegum
Editor Christine Morgan.

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