POPE JOHN PAUL II: AVANT-GARDE ACTOR

POPE JOHN PAUL II: AVANT-GARDE ACTOR

THE VATICAN (Wireless Flash) -- If the pope hadn't found his calling in religion, he might have wound up acting opposite Marlon Brando. According a new biography of Pope John Paul II, "Witness to Hope" (HarperCollins), the pope studied and performed experimental theater in the 1930s. Although his acting career didn't lead to Hollywood, it did show him how words can move people and change history. Biographer George Weigel says the Pope also gave a few hints to his bohemian side when he quoted Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" during a 1994 speech. More recently, the pope met with U2 singer Bono and happily donned a pair of rock 'n' roll sunglasses.