Search - The Vatican Television Center presents: THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM From Pope John Paul II to Pope Benedict XVI on DVD

Tu es Petrus - A Very Beautiful DVD!

Louise | England | 12/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The opening segments covering the illness of Pope John Paul II are very moving and sad; and the music which plays through it is very poignant. You can see the Pope's suffering at this time; yet his determination to carry through to the best of his failing abilities is inspirational. I like the part where you see him following the 'Stations of the Cross' from a video link in his private chapel and he is holding the cross in his chair and obviously moved by the ceremony which he so much wanted to take part in but was unable to due to his fast failing health.

There is quite a bit of coverage of Piero Marini (the Master of Ceremonies) at the Vatican.

The DVD features clips of the funeral and of Cardinal Ratzinger making his now famous allusion to JPII 'watching from the window of the Father's house'.

The parts which cover the conclave are very interesting, and it's informative to see what happens with the preparation of the Vatican chimneys to prepare for the votes to be destroyed after each voting session. Also the conclave part of the programme focuses on the religious artwork of Michelangelo as a kind of inspirational focus - Christ passing the 'keys of the Kingdom of heaven' to St Peter etc. It re-lives the happy scenes of Joseph Ratzinger stepping out onto the balcony having been chosen as Pope!

It's rather nice the way it features his return to his apartment to meet his neighbours and staff after having been elected to the chair of Peter. There was much excitement in the building to see his return, and all the photographers and crowds gathered outside of the building is really something to see.

The DVD concludes with some nice footage of the 'inauguration' of Pope Benedict, and also scenes from various visits he has made since becoming Pope.

The DVD is a very nice keepsake of events of those days leading up to and following the death of JPII and the election of Benedict XVI."

A moving tribute to a giant of the 20 th Century

M. St-Pierre | quebec city, quebec Canada | 02/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD should have been much longer because it was so interesting and fascinating on a historical and personal level. The images and historical contents are just incredible and it is a tribute to the late pope John Paul II who has allowed us to see these historical images of his own funeral proceedings and rites of succession."

Not scene before in history -- Great!

John Myler | Belleville, IL | 04/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This production -- which includes 1)the illness and death of JP II... 2) the funeral ... 3) the conclave, election and first days of B XVI -- has footage that's not been seen before.

Never before in history has there been a video record, in beautiful color and marvelously edited, of a papal death, funeral and conclave. "Vatican Television" has done it right!

Excellent for adult education, junior high religion classes, and as a keepsake for home."