Secret letters of Pope John Paul II reveal 32-year friendship with woman

Private letters of Pope John Paul II - locked away in the National Library of Poland for years - have revealed another side of the Pontiff and a close relationship to a woman named Anna-Teresa.

The young Karol Josef Wojtyla of Poland, the future Pope John Paul II, shaves in the open air, circa 1960. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) . Source: Getty Images

The late Pope John Paul II was a public figure celebrated for his way with the people.

Now, a more private side of the former head of the Catholic Church has been revealed.

The BBC was granted access to a collection of private letters and photos belonging to the man which reveal a close, 30 year-long friendship with married woman, Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka.

The Polish-born American philosopher first met Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, before he became Pope John Paul II in 1978.

Soon after, they began to write to each other.

The personal letters from the Pope include invitations to walks and group holidays while pictures show the pair on various trips and Ms Tymieniecka visiting the Vatican.

There is no suggestion the Pope and Mrs Tymieniecka were in a romantic relationship, but the letters revealed a deeply personal and intimate connection between the pair.

- with the BBC