Likeness of Pope John Paul II in the flames

A photograph taken of a bonfire in Poland bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Pope John Paul II.

The bonfire, which was lit at a ceremony in Poland on April 2 to mark the second anniversary of the late pontifs death, appears to be an image of the Holy Father with his right hand raised in blessing, Daily Mail reported.

Details of the "apparition" appeared on the Vatican TV's News Service.

Fr Jarek Cielecki, a close friend of John Paul II said he was convinced the picture showed the former pontiff.

"You can see the image of a person in the flames and I think it is the servant of God, Pope John Paul II," Fr Cielecki said.

The pictures were broadcast on Italian TV and also posted on religious websites, some of which crashed as thousands logged on to see the image.

Gregorz Lukasik, the Polish man who took the photographs, said it was only afterwards when he got home and looked at the pictures that he knew he had something.

"I showed them to my brother and sister and they, like me, were convinced the flames had formed the image of Pope John Paul II.

"I was so happy with the picture that I showed it to our local bishop who said that Pope John Paul had made many pilgrimages during his life and he was still making them in death."