On 1th December at the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, General Vicar of Pope Francis, was presented for the opening of the exhibition of sculptures and paintings by the Polish artist Anna Gulak “In cammino con Giovanni Paolo II verso il Giubileo Straordinario della Misericordia” (Walking with John Paul II Towards the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy). “In this historic moment, in which many people are seeing a dark future, we need this spark of our origins to bring us to the fullness of faith," said Cardinal Vallini. Another of his statements: “This exhibition will mark the passage of Saint John Paul II among travellers, a metaphor for the modern world where its fast-paced rhythm cross the path of a pilgrim Pope who still has a message to deliver, a message of faith in these times when it is really needed.”

The exhibition, set up by ADR in partnership with Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi and sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Diocese of Rome, has already been on display in 2011 in Vatican City on the first liturgical celebration of Saint John Paul II. It includes six large paintings mounted on prismatic totems and a large scupltured bust in resin of the Pope. The works will remain on display in the departure hall of Terminal 1 for the duration of the Holy Year. The paintings, which reproduce the likeness of John Paul II, are accompanied with the most memorable statements that he made during his long papacy.

“The airport is also the place were the passenger is welcomed," said ADR's CEO, Lorenzo Lo Presti. "In the name of hospitality, Pope Woytila's message of love and mercy, currently presented passionately by Pope Francis, meshes with the modern environment of the Rome's airport, the first Italian hub, and now the Gateway of the Jubilee."  

The president of ENAC, Vito Riggio, said, “The need to maintain the right to travel for everyone, and also to increase courage, which feeds on security, means that we must not fail to defend our traditions, which are universal traditions."

At the end of the opening ceremony, Cardinale Vallini and Mons. Liberio Andreatta, vice-president of ORP, blessed the new welcome desks at the airport, which will be run by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, located on the Arrivals floor of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.