Arturo Mari

Megan RiedererCreative Photography

(The papal photographer)

Background

• Born in Borgo, Rome (near Vatican city)• Interests in photography began when he was 6– Father would take him to photo laboratory

• Began Vatican photography at age 16– Project to photograph Pope Pius XII

• Got job as Vatican photographer on March 6, 1956

• In time, he began to become trusted and was allowed to photograph at will

51 Years 6 Popes1. Pope Pius XII2. Pope John XXIII3. Pope Paul VI4. Pope John Paul I5. Pope John Paul II6. Pope Benedict the XVI

1 2

5

3

6

Famous Encounters With Popes1. Pius XII– Carried on a portable throne during a beatification

2. John XXIII– Called Second Vatican Council

3. Pope Paul– Holy Land

4. Pope John Paul II– When he was shot

Pope John Paul II

• Mari spent 27 years photographing John Paul II

• Many experiences• Pictures involve many famous people• Some pictures become well known

JP2 with various U. S. Presidents

JP2 with Mother Theresa

JP2 with Sheikh Taysir Tamimi and Israel Meir Lau

• Islamic Higher Committee member Sheikh Taysir Tamimi and Israel's Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau

Other famous shots by Arturo Mari of JP2

Quotes of John Paul II

• These were the quotes that Arturo Mari took most to heart– “Mmmmm, I don’t deserve it.”– “Arturo, my son, we are alive.”– “Arturo, grazie, grazie”

Juan Carlos Mari

Recently Juan Carlos Mari, Arturo Mari’s son, was ordained a priest. He became part of the order the Legionaries of Christ.

Bibliography• Finessi, Mariaelena. "ZENIT - Papal Photographer Recalls Half-Century Career."

ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome. 12 Sept. 2007. Web. 05 Sept. 2011. <http://www.zenit.org/article-20486?l=english>.

• Kerr, David. "Official Papal Photographer Recals Life with 'a Living Saint'" Catholic News Agency. 29 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com>.

• "Memories of Arturo Mari, Papal Photographer for 27 Years." John Paul II Foundation. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. <http://www.fjp2.com/us/news/vatican/12208-memories-of-arturo-mari-papal-phorographer-for-27-years>.

• "Pope Ordains 22men, including Vatican Photographer's Son, in Ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica." Free Republic. 1 May 2007. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1826635/posts>.

• Wooden, Cindy. "CNS STORY: After Six Popes, 51 Years, Vatican Photographer Hangs up His Cameras." Catholic News Service Home Page. 18 June 2007. Web. 05 Sept. 2011. <http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703470.htm>.