Pope Premiere

Pope Benedict XVI, followed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, leaves the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, after watching the premiere showing of the miniseries "Pope John Paul II" on the life of the late pontiff.

Actor Jon Voight is received by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, after the presentation of the miniseries "Pope John Paul II" on the life of the late pontiff. Voight plays the role of Pope John Paul II.

Actor Jon Voight, right, is received by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, following the presentation of the miniseries "Pope John Paul II." Voight stars in the two-part movie on the life of the late pontiff.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, after a screening of the miniseries "Pope John Paul II." Benedict said the film provided an important service in spreading the message about the life and works of the late pontiff.

Actor Jon Voight, far right, listens to Pope Benedict XVI at the premiere screening of "Pope John Paul II" at the Paul VI Hall Nov. 17, 2005, in Vatican City.

Pope Benedict XVI, seated in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, watches the Italian-language version of the film "Pope John Paul II," together with hundreds of people holding exclusive invitations. Jon Voight portrays the late pontiff in the miniseries that will air on CBS.

Actor Jon Voight, as Pope John Paul II, is seen on screen during the Italian-language premiere at the Vatican of the movie "Giovanni Paolo II" ("Pope John Paul II") directed by John Kent Harrison, Nov. 17, 2005.

Actor Jon Voight arrives at the Vatican Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, for the screening of "Pope John Paul II," a TV miniseries on the life of the late pontiff. Voight plays the title role.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the premiere of the movie "Giovanni Paolo II" ("Pope John Paul II") Nov. 17, 2005 at the Vatican. The pope watched the Italian-language version of the film together with hundreds of people holding invitations.

Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight shown during the filming of "Pope John Paul II." Voight portrays the late pontiff in the two-part miniseries for CBS.

Actor Jon Voight plays the late Pope John Paul II in a two-part CBS miniseries to be aired in early December 2005. Voight, who won an Oscar for best actor playing a handicapped Vietnam veteran in the 1978 film "Coming Home," said his Catholic upbringing helped him with the role.

Actor Jon Voight studies his lines during the filming of "Pope John Paul II." Voight said the movie gave him the opportunity to bring to the screen John Paul's complex nature. He was "gifted in many, many arenas," Voight said.

Actor Jon Voight during the filming of "John Paul II." The co-production between CBS and Italian production house Lux Vide portrays the young Karol Wojtyla through flashbacks as a young man and later as pope, taking the viewer through his 26-year pontificate and world travels.

Actor Jon Voight during filming of "Pope John Paul II." The movie opens as John Paul is shot and seriously wounded on May 13, 1981, while riding through the crowds during a general audience, and closes with a scene of crowds at his funeral on April 8, 2005 in the same square.

Actor Jon Voight as John Paul II during production of the miniseries "Pope John Paul II" about the late pontiff.

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