JOHN PAUL II: A SAINT FOR OUR TIMES examines the life of the deceased pontiff beginning with his "baptism by fire" in war-torn Poland during World War II and continuing with his struggle for religious freedom in communist Poland during the second half of the 20th Century.

Vatican officials, former friends, associates and ABC Correspondent Bill Blakemore comment on the themes of John Paul II,s life and why he was so beloved by millions of people within and outside the Catholic religion.

"One of the main points of this documentary", says producer/director John Biffar, "is that this Pope redefined the meaning of what is was to be a Saint by the people he himself canonized during his long tenure. He took "saintliness" and made it something that common people could ascribe to by being true to their higher spiritual values. He was an inspiration to many people because of this."