From works of art to monuments to memorials, the objects associated with John Paul II reflect the impact he had on Poland and the world. They not only pay tribute to his figure, but also remind us of his spiritual and intellectual heritage.

In most cases, however, they are not Polonica - they refer to the Pope's legacy, without direct references to Polish cultural heritage. Although the figure of John Paul II cannot be separated from his roots and national identity, it did not, in many cases, provide the context for the creation of works commemorating the Polish bishop of Rome. The exceptions are, of course, works funded by Polish communities or created by Polish artists and Polish women artists.

Nonetheless, due to the inextricable links between John Paul II and Poland, we are gradually introducing a list of the most important objects related to the Polish Pope into the database, without, however, making them separate entries.

Undoubtedly the most important of these objects is the tomb of John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

. The list presented below, although it includes 139 objects, is not complete - if you know of other objects connected with John Paul II, please send us the information together with the location and photographs. Many of the objects that are listed also do not have photographic documentation. We would be grateful if you could send us photographs documenting monuments, plaques and other objects associated with John Paul II.

Catalogue of monuments, bas-reliefs and plaques commemorating John Paul II located outside the country

Country | City | Year | Material | Author | Description | Dimensions | Location | Notes

1 | Angola | Luanda | Full-figure statue | At the Cathedral of St Salvador (Catedral de São Salvador) | commemorates the Pope's visit to Angola and his message of peace and reconciliation

2 | Argentina | Buenos Aires | 1999 | bronze | Stanislaw Slolina | Full-figure monument | Founders: the Union of Poles in Argentina and the Juan Kobylansky and Usopal Foundation. It was unveiled on 6 August 1999 and consecrated by the Papal Nuncio Monsignor Ubaldo Calabres

3 | Argentina | Posadas | 2003 | bronze | Czeslaw Dźwigaj | Monument with figural group. The monument depicts Pope John Paul II with a staff topped with a crucifix in the posture of giving a blessing to three children, a Polish girl, a Ukrainian boy and an Argentinian boy, who hand him flowers in the offering of this land | Founders Union of Polish Associations and Organizations of Latin America -USOPAL-, Union of Poles of the Argentine Republic and the Kobylanski Foundation

4 | Australia | Banksia Grove | The statue in its entirety | In front of the St. John Paul II church

In the case of the Brisbane church, a statue of a statue was erected in front of the St. Stephen's Cathedral.

6 | Australia | Melbourne | 2022 | Full-figure memorial | At the Ta'Pinu Shrine in Bacchus Marsh

7 | Australia | Parramatta | 2015 | Linda Klafeld | Statue with statue throughout | At St Patrick's Cathedral | Fundatpr Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

8 | Australia | Sydney | 2008 | Statue with statue in full figure | In front of St. Mary's Cathedral | II funded by the Italian-Australian community on the occasion of World Youth Day

9 | Australia | Sydney | Whole figure statue | At St. John Paul II Student Centre

10 | Austria | Mariazell | Statue with statue in full figure | The statue was unveiled to commemorate John Paul II and his visit to the shrine in 1983

11 | Austria | Vienna | Monument with statue in full figure | Monument placed at a site of special historical significance for Poland, from which John III Sobieski set out for the Battle of Vienna. The monument was unveiled to commemorate Pope John Paul II and his visit to Kahlenberg in 1983.

12 | Belarus | Brest | Monument with a statue in its entirety

13 | Belarus | Mogilev | 2013 | Monument with figure group | approximately 300 cm | The monument to John Paul II was placed at the main entrance to the Cathedral Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mogilev (the monument was officially dismantled in 2023 due to damage to the plinth).

14 | Belarus | Molodechno | 2008 | A statue with a statue in its entirety | approximately 300 cm | In St. Joseph's Church | It is a gift of an anonymous Polish family to the Catholics of Molodechno

15 | Belarus | Mosar | Monument with a statue in full stature | In the square in front of St. Anne's Church | Founded by Fr Jozas Bulka

16 | Byelorussia | Šumelin | Monument with a statue in full stature

17 | Belarus | Vitebsk | Monument with a statue in full stature

18 | Belarus | Volozhin | 2007 | Monument with a statue in full stature

19 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Madziugorie | Statue of a statue in its entirety

20 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo | 2014 | Monument with statue in full figure | In front of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart | Commemorates the Pope's visit to Sarajevo in 1997, which took place after the end of the war in Bosnia and was a symbol of hope and reconciliation.

21 | Brazil | Courtauld | bronze | statue in its entirety | Papal Forest

22 | Bulgaria | Belene | 2014 | Statue with statue in full figure

23 | Croatia | Dubrovnik | 2013 | bronze | Marija Ujević-Galetović | The statue depicts the Pope with his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand resting on the pastoral.

24 | Croatia | Dubrovnik | Plaque | In the Dominican church | Commemorates the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1989.

25 | Croatia | Dubrovnik | Plaque | On the clock tower

26 | Croatia | Krašić | 2022 | Tomislav Kršnjavi | bust

27 | Croatia | Križevc | 2022 | bronze | Zvonko Beljo | Statue with a statue in its entirety | Commemorates the Pope's collaboration with Cardinal Stepinac. A statue of Cardinal Franjo Kuharić is also located next to it.

28 | Croatia | Kuna | 2007 | bronze | Petar Barišić | Statue with statue in full figure | Courtyard of the monastery and church of Our Lady of Delorita

29 | Croatia | Marija Bistrica | 2003 | Jerbić iz Svete Nedjelje (stonemason), Zlatko Čular | Full-figure monument | The monument commemorates the Pope's visit in 1998, during which he proclaimed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac blessed.

30 | Croatia | Omišalj | 2004 | bronze | Damir Mataušic | Whole figure monument | The monument resembles a mooring post and symbolises Glagolitic, commemorating the third pilgrimage of John Paul II to Croatia.

31 | Croatia | Omišalj | 2014 | bronze | Vida Vučaka | Whole figure monument

32 | Croatia | Račišće | 2007 | stone | Denis Nižetić and Dražena Prlić | Statue with statue in full figure

33 | Croatia | Rijeka | 2005 | bronze | Ante Jurkić | Statue with statue in full figure | approx. 280 cm

34 | Croatia | Selca | 1996 | Sandstone | Kuzma Kovačić | Whole figure monument | approx. 250 cm | The initiative to erect the monument came from the then parish priest Fr Jerčić and the mayor of the municipality Ivan Škrpac. The monument is intended to emphasise the impact of the Pope's numerous works on positive change in the world and to express gratitude for his contribution to the development of the Croatian people and the formation of Croatian statehood.

35 | Croatia | Solin | 2000 | Sandstone | Monument with the statue in its entirety

36 | Croatia | Split | 2016 | bronze | Kuzma Kovačić | plaque | In St. Domion's Cathedral

37 | Croatia | Split | 2016 | bronze,silver-plated | Kuzma Kovačić | Plaque. Depicts John Paul II guided by the Holy Spirit who envelops the Pope and his vestments | 254 x 148 cm | In the Archbishop's Palace.

38 | Croatia | Udbina | 2011 | bronze | Slaven Miličević | A statue with the figure in its entirety. Depicts the Pope with a cross made on the model of the Golden Cross of the Bishops of Krbava from the 13th century | 290 x 70 x 160 cm, weight approx. 600 kg

39 | Croatia | Zagreb | 2003 | bronze | Kuzma Kovačić | Statue with the figure in its entirety. The figure of the Pope being guided by the Holy Spirit | approx. 250 cm | Military Ordinariate, park

40 | Croatia | Zaprešić | 2018 | Monument with statue in full figure

41 | Croatia | Zrnovo | 2006 | bronze | Radoslav Duhović | Statue with statue in full figure | In front of St. Martin's Church

42 | Croatia | Župania | 2000 | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure. Representation of the Pope blessing the faithful, with his left hand pointing to the Divine Mercy image. At the base of the statue are the Pope's words to the Croatians: "My dear Croatians! Be faithful, be unwavering, be proud of your Christian name!". | approx. 230 cm

43 | Cyprus | Nicosia | 2020 | bronze | bust | In the garden of the Papal Nunciature at the Church of the Holy Cross | on the 42nd anniversary of the election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope

44 | Czech Republic | Bukovany | 2017 | bronze | Radim Hanke from Zlín | John Paul II is dressed in a long coat, which the author wanted to emphasise the majesty and dignity of the figure. In addition, his hands are slightly turned upwards, as if he is receiving a blessing for the faithful.

45 | Czech Republic | Hradec Králové | 2003 | bronze, travertine (pedestal) | Maria and Vojtěch Adamc | Statue with the statue in its entirety | In the courtyard of the Nové Adalbertin building

46 | Czech Republic | Koclířov | Full-figure monument | In front of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit | Commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul II to this city

47 | Philippines | Manila | Full statue monument | Luneta Park

48 | France | Lourdes | Czeslaw Dźwigaj | The monument depicts John Paul II kneeling, with his right hand raised, making a gesture of blessing. In his left hand, the Pope is holding a candle, symbolising a characteristic element of piety associated with Lourdes. The pedestal of the monument bears two quotations in French from speeches John Paul II made at this shrine: "Carrying lit torches in our hands, we remember and profess our faith in the risen Christ" and "Mother, come to the aid of your children". | On the grounds of the Lourdes shrine

49 | France | Paris | Statue with statue throughout | The statue commemorates papal visits to France.

50 | France | Paris | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure | In front of the church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

51 | France | Ploërmel | 2006 | Statue with a statue in its entirety | The statue caused legal disputes because of the cross above the statue, which led to debates about the secularity of the state. Eventually, in 2018, the cross was moved to a private area to comply with the law on the secularity of public spaces

52 | Greece | Nafplio | 2024 | Bas-relief | On the wall of the church of the "Transfiguration of the Lord". "Transfiguration of the Lord"

53 | Spain | Guadalajara | stone | Statue of a statue in its entirety

54 | Spain | Madrid | 2007 | Monument in the form of a pedestal, with the inscription "With open arms I carry you all in my heart". | The monument was erected in the park of the Pope John Paul II and is located in the city centre of Madrid.

55 | Spain | Madrid | 1998 | bronze | Juan de Ãvalos | Full-figure monument | approx. 350 cm | At Madrid's Almudena Cathedral on the Byron Street side | Established to commemorate the opening of the cathedral by John Paul II during his fourth visit to Spain on 15 June 1993. Almudena Cathedral was the first Spanish cathedral consecrated by a pope. According to the artist: "I created the statue of John Paul II, I wanted him to exude goodness and energy. He opened his arms to the wind that blew his cloak, sending greetings from afar, bringing all horizons closer to his son and brother. I hope that the Pope's gesture will be both gentle and powerful. It is modelled on the gesture of walking, approaching, leaning towards the viewer. I wanted the sculpture to welcome the immediate viewer and greet those from afar."

56 | Spain | Madrid | 2005 | bronze | Juan de Ãvalos | The statue with the statue in its entirety depicts John Paul II, above whom, to the right, rises the figure of the Virgin Mary, lightly supported by a flame issuing from a cylindrical column. On the pedestal is the inscription AD IESUM PER MARIAM //. | By the Sol y el Agua garden | The statue was unveiled in 2005 on the Paseo de la Castellana, and in 2014 was moved to its current location

57 | Spain | Madrid | 2024 | Plaque, cross-shaped | Seat of the Apostolic Ninciature | Founder authorities of the Spanish Diplomatic Academy

58 | Spain | San Cristóbal de La Laguna | 2012 | bronze | Czeslaw Dźwigaj | Monument with sculptural group with representation of John Paul II and two children | On the square of Dr Olivery next to the church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción | Funders are the Jan Kobylanski Foundation and the Union of Latin American Polonia Associations and Organisations. The bronze statue depicts John Paul II in full height and blessing a girl and boy dressed in typical Tenerife garb.

59 | Spain | Santiago de Compostela | Full-height statue | Monte do Gozo hill | John Paul II statue removed in 2021

60 | Spain | Zaragoza | Plaque,inscription (in Spanish): "John Paul II honoured and kissed this sacred column on 10 X 1984" | Commemorates the visit of John Paul II to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, after 1984.

61 | Spain | Seville | Statue with statue in full form | In the Virgen de los Reyes square

62 | Spain | Seville | 2022 | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure | On the grounds of Maynooth University

63 | India | Kochin | Full-figure statue | At St. Francis Church

64 | India | New Delhi | 2011 | bronze | Armando Benato | Full-figure monument | In front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral

65 | India | New Delhi | 2011 | bronze | Armando Benato | Full-figure statue | In the apostolic nunciature

66 | Ireland | Kildare | bronze | Imogen Stuart | Depicts John Paul II and two children kneeling before him. The immediate inspiration came from a photograph taken during John Paul II's pilgrimage to Ireland. Surrounding the statue is a heritage wall to commemorate the generosity of people of Irish descent who have made donations to Maynooth College.

67 | Japan | Hiroshima | bronze | During a visit to Hiroshima on 25 February 1981, Pope John Paul II gave a moving and poignant speech entitled Appeal for Peace in Hiroshima, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and an end to all war. The event is commemorated by a monument inside the Peace Museum. It takes the form of an abstract sculpture, with a symbolic representation of humanity united in pursuit of a future full of harmony, security and peaceful coexistence | Next to the World Peace Memorial Cathedral | during his visit to Hiroshima on 25 February 1981, Pope John Paul II delivered a moving and poignant speech entitled Appeal for Peace in Hiroshima, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and an end to all wars. The event is commemorated by a monument inside the Peace Museum. It takes the form of an abstract sculpture, with a symbolic representation of humanity united in pursuit of a future full of harmony, security and peaceful coexistence

68 | Japan | Nagasaki | bronze | Bust | By the Oura Church

69 | Japan | Nagasaki | bronze | Bust, plaque | Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | In the cathedral there is a commemorative plaque and in front of it a bust of John Paul II, who prayed here for the victims of war and for peace in the world

70 | Jordan | Mount Nebo | Monument | Sculpture representing Moses erected to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II in 2000.

71 | Kazakhstan | Astana | Full-figure monument

72 | Lebanon | Beirut | Full statue monument | At the Maronite church

73 | Lebanon | Harissa | bronze | Full-figure monument | At the shrine of the Virgin Mary Queen of Lebanon | Commemorates the papal pilgrimage to Lebanon in May 1997, during which he spoke the words, carved on the pedestal of the monument, "Lebanon is more than a country, it is a message to the world". Next to it is a bronze plaque of Polish soldiers who served in Lebanon.

74 | Lithuania | Koleśniki | 2010 | bronze | Andrzej Szafraniec | The statue is placed on a pedestal of fieldstone and red brick. The statue was erected on the initiative of the parishioners and the priest, based on a photograph of the Pope on his second pilgrimage to Poland.

75 | Lithuania | Kovalchuk | 2007 | bronze | statue of Pope John Paul II unveiled in 2007 on the initiative of local scouts

76 | Lithuania | Kaunas | 2011 | Czeslaw Dźwigaj | Full-figure monument | Here, in 1993, John Paul II celebrated Mass during his pilgrimage to Lithuania.

77 | Lithuania | Šiauliai | 2016 | Mindaugas Junczys | Full-figure monument | In the courtyard of St Ignatius Loyola church | The monument was erected on the initiative of the Žuklis family of Šiauliai

78 | Lithuania | Vilnius | 2014 | Monument with statue in full figure | In the courtyard of the John Paul II progymnasium.

79 | Lithuania | Vilnius | 2008 | A statue with a statue in its entirety | In the lobby of the John Paul II gymnasium.

80 | Malta | Attard | The statue of the statue in its entirety

81 | Malta | Gozo | Full statue monument

82 | Malta | Rabat | bronze | Monument with statue in full figure

83 | Malta | Valletta | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

84 | Mexico | Celaya | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

85 | Mexico | Irapuato | 2006 | bronze | Laura Badillo | Whole figure statue | approx. 200 cm, 300 kg | At the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

86 | Mexico | Izamal | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

87 | Mexico | Romita | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

88 | Mexico | Aguascalientes | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

89 | Mexico | Chalco | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure | Villa de Guadalupe

90 | Mexico | El Dorado | bronze | Full statue monument

91 | Mexico | Guanajuato | stone | Full statue monument | In the Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato (since 2014 in front of the basilica)

92 | Mexico | Jalostotitlán | bronze | Whole statue monument

93 | Mexico | Lagos de Moreno | bronze | Statue with statue in full statue

94 | Mexico | León | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

95 | Mexico | Mexico | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

96 | Mexico | Mexico | 2007 | bronze | Francisco Cárdenas Martínez | Whole figure monument | Cathedral | Realised by Alejandro Velasco Mancera and Artistic Casting Studio . Sculpture made from donations - keys, selected in a competition (for more on this: https://rosademaria.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/dale-la-llave-de-tu-corazon/)

97 | Mexico | Mexico | bronze | statue in full figure | Villa Guadalupe

98 | Mexico | Mexico | stone (?) | Monument with statue in full figure | near Jesús María Street

99 | Mexico | Río Verde | bronze | Statue with statue in full statue

100 | Mexico | San Juan de los Lagos | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure | Near the cathedral

101 | Mexico | San Juan de los Lagos | bronze | Whole statue monument | at the San Pedro temple

102 | Mexico | San Juan de los Lagos | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

103 | Mexico | Veracruz | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

104 | Mexico | Villahermosa | bronze | Monument with figural group and depiction of John Paul II

105 | Mexico | Yahualica | bronze | Monument with statue in full figure

106 | Mexico | Zapopan | stone (?) | Full-figure monument

107 | Moldavia | Chisinau | Full statue monument | At the Catholic cathedral

108 | Germany | Altötting | bronze | Statue with statue in full statue

109 | Germany | Hamburg | 2007 | bronze | Jozef Nowak | The pedestal bears the inscription: "Forerunner of a new Europe, re-founder of the Archdiocese of Hamburg, promoter of German-Polish reconciliation". The initiators of the erection of the monument were the Hamburg Polish community. | approx. 200 cm | Near the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

110 | Nigeria | Ibadan | statue in full view | at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Major Seminary

111 | Portugal | Coimbra | bronze | Full statue monument | Near the botanical garden and university

112 | Portugal | Funchal | bronze | Statue with statue in full statue

113 | Russia | Moscow | 2011 | bronze | Statue with statue in full form

114 | Romania | Bucharest | bronze | Statue with full statue | The monument commemorates the visit of Pope John Paul II to Romania in 1999

115 | Thailand | Bangkok | 2013 (before) | bronze | Full figure statue | In the Assumption Cathedral on Bang Rak | Commemorates the Pope's visit to Thailand and the cathedral in 1984.

116 | East Timor | Dili | Full statue monument

117 | Ukraine | Strzalkowice | 2016 | Statue with statue in full form | Gift of the Association of the International Motorcycle Rally of Katyn.

118 | Ukraine | Zhytomyr | Monument with statue in full figure

119 | USA | Asbury | Whole figure memorial | In front of the Jersey National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

120 | USA | Justice | 2016 | bronze | Teresa Clark (Clark Design) | The sculpture rests on a black granite base. | At Resurrection Cemetery | Founder Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdeaconry of Chicago

121 | USA | St. Louis | 2018 | marble | Franco Alessandrini | by the Archdiocese building

122 | USA | Wheeling | Statue with statue throughout

123 | USA | Wyandotte | at the parish of Our Lady of the Scapular

124 | USA | Yorkville | 2006-2009 (ca.) | Holy Trinity Cemetery

125 | Hungary | Budapest | marble | full-figure statue | The first statue of John Paul II in Hungary (?)

126 | Hungary | Budapest | 2020 | bronze | Laszlo and Norbert Kotorman | Monument with full-figure representation. The Pope is depicted with both hands raised in a gesture of blessing. | The monument was erected in the basilica of St Stephen on the left and on the right.

127 | Hungary | Debrecen | 2021 | bronze | Jenő Kovács | The pedestal bears the inscription 'NE FÉLJETEK' (Do not be afraid!) and 'SZENT II JÁNOS PÁL PÁPA'. | Approx. 180 cm | In front of St. Anne's Cathedral

128 | Hungary | Dunaújváros | bronze | Bust.

129 | Hungary | Győr | bronze | Statue with statue in full figure

130 | Hungary | Miskolc | Statue with statue in full figure

131 | Hungary | Pannonhalma | Statue with statue in full statue

132 | Hungary | Piliscsaba | 2019 | bronze | Whole figure monument | approx. 180 cm

133 | Hungary | Szentendre | Monument with full-figure representation

134 | Hungary | Szombathely | 2016 | Monument with full-figure representation

135 | Italy | Biscegiale | 2019 | bronze | Monument with full-figure representation | Monument, donated to the community of Bisceglie by Margherita and Maria Coletta, widow and daughter of Carabinieri Brigadier Giuseppe Coletta, who was killed in an attack in Nassiriya, Iraq, in 2003

136 | Italy | Civitaeecchia | 2024 | bronze | Minarelli Foundry | Whole figure statue | In front of the cathedral

137 | Italy | Fiorano Modenese | 2011 | bronze | Whole figure statue | In front of the sanctuary, in the square opposite the sanctuary | 27 September 1989. The sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Fiorano Modenese castle was elevated to the dignity of Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II

138 | Italy | Matera | 2011 | marble (carrara) | Carlo Andrea | Statue with a statue in its entirety | approx. 220 cm, 200 kg | Park Boschetto | Commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Pope's visit in April 1991.

139 | Italy | Rome | 2011 | Oliviero Rainaldi | Sculpture entitled 'Conversations'. It consists of various bronze alloy plates joined together by welding. The surface has a silvery patina that tends to fade towards green. The statue has a dome-shaped design: the pope is depicted standing up, in the process of opening his great merciful mantle to symbolically welcome the faithful and pilgrims from all over the world, The image of the pope, in addition to alluding to the well-known iconography of the Madonna della Misericordia, evokes a historical, well-known photograph that shows him in the playful gesture of wrapping his mantle around a child sitting on the step next to his. | approx. 600 cm | In front of the main entrance to the Termini railway station

Austria | Vienna | 1983 | In St Joseph's Church on the Kahlenberg, a plaque commemorates the visit of Pope John Paul II as part of the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Vienna in 1983 | St Joseph's Church on the Kahlenberg

Spain | Seville | In the church of Hermandad de la Estrella, in the Triana district, there is a statue of Pope John Paul II | Hermandad de la Estrella in Seville

Italy | Offagna | 2006 | The statue of John Paul II in Offagna is located in a park next to the castle with a beautiful view of the nearby hills | Park next to the castle in Offagna

Bulgaria | Belozem | The monument and street to Pope John Paul II in Belozem is adjacent to the wall of the monastery of the Capuchin Friars Minor, who have served in Bulgaria since 1841 | By the wall of the monastery of the Capuchin Friars Minor in Belozem

Italy | Oropa | Plaque commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Oropa sanctuary | In front of the Oropa sanctuary