Who is next?, a photo from Vatican City, Lazio

Photographer's Note

The Pope is definitely one of the major attractions of Rome. Even not being Roman Catholic, one may consider joining crowds on St. Peter Square either for Sunday Mass or for so-called Wednesday Audience to see him (it is not likely to be her for a while yet). It is like going to Buckingham Palace with the hope to spot the Queen, who is by the way as well the Head of the Church of England. When I was in Rome several years ago the Pope was Polish as myself which added a nice feeling to the situation. Please note that the tomb of the first Pope, St Peter, is located beneath the St Peter Basilica, and it was the place where he was executed. The times have obviously changed since, and so the current Pope can choose to retire in peace. In few days emka goes to Rome and she will be there in the very historical moment when the Pope resignation becomes effective. This inspired me to find in my archives a picture of the Pope taken in Rome a while ago (It is the previous Pope John Paul II). The election of the new Pope is supposed to happen in March. I think this would be a great time to visit, and have the opportunity to photograph the white or black smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel. For Roman Catholics, the election of the new Pope means very much as it may change their whole life, especially if the new Pope appears to be less conservative which is most likely to be the case.

This photo is a scan of negative.

jlbrthnn, siudzi, tedesse, Sonata11, No_One, danos, ikeharel, josepmarin, Graal, maria-v1981, adramad, delpeoples, jhm, Vasa, Angshu, tyro, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (147270) 2013-02-20 11:34

Hi M,
Well taken, a good pov, perfect sharpness, well done, Concerning the next ... wait a moment !

jlbrthnn (76043) 2013-02-20 13:08

Hello Mariusz,
This is a great picture of a man who was admired by believers. The mission of the popes is difficult. An excellent and interesting photo. Bravo.
Have a nice evening
Best regards
Jo雔

siudzi (34141) 2013-02-20 13:17

Witaj Mariusz,
Bardzo poruszające zdjęcie. Trudno mi uwierzyć, ze zostało wykonane w 2001 roku, aż tak dawno... czas mi strasznie szybko mija... Świetna jakość oraz prezentacja.

Pozdrowienia,
Gosia

tedesse (25147) 2013-02-20 13:47

Witaj!
Wzruszajace wspomnienie! Pieky kadr, super swiatlo i kolory, piekna glebia.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie
Tadeusz

Sonata11 (34119) 2013-02-20 20:31

Witaj Mariusz,
piekne zdjecie. Miales szczescie byc tak blisko naszego kochanego Ojsca Swietego. Wspaniala kompozycja i wspaniale wykonales to zdjecie. Bardzo mi sie podoba. Dzieki
Serdecznie pozdrawiamm,
Barbara

emka (158204) 2013-02-20 23:36

Cześć Mariusz, jakie świetne reporterskie zdjęcie! Byłeś bardzo blisko. I tu Papież jeszcze sie jakoś trzyma, pamietam te ostatnie lata, kiedy był juz bardzo słaby. ja pokazałam na TE zdjęcie Pawła VI.
Dobra notka. Ja dymy nie zobaczę, w środę ostatnia audiencja, ale tez nie jestem pewna, czy p骿dę, jakos nie lubie stać w tłumie.

Pozdraiwam M.

No_One (4) 2013-02-21 6:19

Hi Mariusz,

This is a really nice capture, and of such an iconic man in the worlds history, I would be immensely proud to have a shot like this in my collection. I am guessing that this was taken quite a while ago, as the pope does not seem to behind as much protection as he seemed to be in more recent years.
here in Ireland john Paull II is a very much loved man, particularly by the older generations. Virtually every house I go into will have his image somewhere to be seen. Great image to have, and thanks for sharing.
All the best
Noel

danos (110407) 2013-02-21 7:01

Witaj Mariusz,
nice the view of the Pope John Paul II with a so close up view.I like the brilliant light and colour management as the quality of the image.

Regards,Danos

ikeharel (113483) 2013-02-22 1:51

Well Mariusz, beside the fact that there is an available job, this pic. of the late John Paul II, remind me how he was very open minded and really admired throughout the world.
Also, as he traveled inspite of his old age, and even here in Israel 3/2000 visit, spoke about humanity with greaty passion.
Fabulous pic. taken, acanned and presented.
Ike

abmdsudi (95869) 2013-02-23 23:03

Hi Mariusz
Excellent notes, It's a nice shot here does this make you a popearzi photgrapher, and their faces said it all. Very human, colourful crowd well detailed on his expression and full of enthuasiasm. Excellent record shot indeed, Well done
Kind regards

Fis2 (170919) 2013-02-24 1:23

Witaj Mariusz!
Dobre pytanie?
Ciekawe reporterskie archiwalne foto.
Pozdrawiam
Krzysztof

josepmarin (59385) 2013-02-24 11:27

Witaj Mariusz,
you have caught a splendid close-up of the Pope, under a difficult circumstances because of the crowded place.
The image is very sharp, and keeps a good quality, because of a great work of scan. The light and the colors are superb.
A good photo-journalistic shot.
Best regards,
Josep

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-02-24 13:03

Excellent photography Mariusz,
Had seen Pope John Paul II in '86 when I was in school .Bright and warm colors in the composition.Sharpness and clarity are perfect.
Excellent composition, good presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.
Ciao ~ Farhat

Graal (103040) 2013-02-24 23:05

Czesc,
dobre pytanie w tytule. Zdjecie nawiazujace do aktualnych wydarzen w Watykanie. Ladne wspomnienie. Bdb skan. Tez mialem okazje Go widziec w Rzymie i Elblagu.
Milego dnia.
Aleksander

maria-v1981 (10966) 2013-02-25 5:44

Hello Mariusz,
It is true to who will be the next pope. Even the Orthodox church. For candidates popes have been reported and have said many things good or bad. Ww will see?
Have a nice day,
Regards,
Maria

adramad (73030) 2013-02-25 8:08

Hello Mariusz.
A fantastic photo report, which comes in handy at this time of waiting to know who the next pope, the image you caught very well with many photographers trying to get round an unrepeatable moment.
A beautiful day, it gives a nice color.
Very good brightness and optimum sharpness.
Well done. I love it.
Have a nice day.
Best wishes.
Luis.

fabianoleite (13575) 2013-02-26 16:28

Very interesting approximation, and, in fact, it is an attraction ofr people of any faith. Good work!

delpeoples (60342) 2013-02-28 2:38

Witaj dear Mariusz

Well he definitely would not have made my Hot Priests of the Calandario Romano :) But what an amazing photo! An important historical document and one which has and will provoke a very interesting discussion. You seem very knowledgable about the papacy and Catholicism in general. I have mixed feelings about JPII and still can't work out why they're beatifying him so soon. I concede that he made a huge mark on the world in so many aspects, and of course as your countryman, became a symbol of freedom and the fall of the Iron Curtain. But his conservatism in respect to so many important issues, and the deafening silence (or as some would say the conspiracy to cover up) the cases of abuse, really left me cold. And it was even worse with Ratzinger who as you say was not only more conservative but completely lacked a personality. The fact that they both deliberately chose conservative cardinals, has left us with at least another generation of this conservatism and willful blindness. I really have to wonder about the future of the Church.

Anyway, thanks for your thought-provoking and very timely photo.
Chers
Lisa

jhm (211736) 2013-03-01 3:02

Hello Mariusz,

You was very close with these picture to the Pope.
Not everyone has a picture on these way.
Excellent scanned picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

lousat (139352) 2013-03-01 13:58

Hi Mariusz,i hope to will see another Pope like this,an example for all...great historic capture from Vatican city and perfect work of scannering too,i like your choice of the theme!Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Vasa (515) 2013-03-03 15:24

So worth witness, dear friend - from the best position. I try to understand also your emotions. All the best Mariusz!

Branko

Angshu (56760) 2013-03-15 2:55

Hello Mariusz
Well, now you know who's next! Quite a historical choice as I understand as well.
The pope looks very frail even 12 years back! The scan quality of this picture is excellent. The note is very nice as well!
Best Regards
Angshu

wolf38 (30) 2013-03-16 8:48

Hello Mariusz. You have published this photo of the popular Polish pope in the right moment. We all see how time flies. Nothing is permanent. The Catholic Church must constantly renew itself, and yet maintain the traditions.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

batalay (41261) 2014-03-03 19:34

Hello Mariusz,

In the random order that you've selected your photos to appear on your Introductory Page, this remarkable photo came up. It's a pleasure, but somewhat nostalgic to wee John Paul II, certainly the most charismatic religious figure of the past century (and perhaps many more). I am neither a Catholic, nor did I agree with all of his pronouncements, but I genuinely admired the man. He was deeply principled and consistent. He also exuded greatness. Your photo is astonishing in every respect.

Warm regards,

Bulent

tyro (30513) 2017-10-22 8:18

Hello Mariusz,

Having just critiqued your recent photograph from Wadowice, I was directed to this picture which, strangely enough, I had never seen before!

I am not a Roman Catholic but I always had great admiration for Pope John Paul II. I would have loved to have been this close to him and so I can understand that any Roman Catholic must have felt both excited and very honoured to have been in the close presence of this man.

And what a photograph! Considering that this is a digital scan of a 35mm negative film, the quality is absolutely amazing - the colours are very life-like and, despite the strong sunlight, there are no over or under-exposed parts at all: we can see all the details of the great man's face perfectly.

Oh, yes, Mariusz, you must have felt very proud to have been there - and to have taken such a fine photograph - which I am sure you will treasure.

Wonderful!

Kind Regards,

John.

COSTANTINO (116644) 2020-11-10 23:01

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
a photo which brought memories
into my mind looking at
your photo with the Pope
so many years ago....
thanks for sharing this photo with us
and thanks for your useful notes
welldone
regards
Costantino