John Paul II was able, among the most tragic situations, to sustain the flame of hope. In January 2003, although in old age, with diminishing strength, with the world in flames, he had the strength – and with force – to say to the diplomatic corps: “Everything can change… Yes, we can change the course of events.” So, I say with all my awareness, not sin with triumphalism, that Pope Wojtyła was God’s providential gift to the Church and for all mankind. He was a great leader in the life of the Catholic community, but also in the history of the world. He contributed to the overthrow of not only ideological, but also geographical, cultural, and religious walls. He protected and maintained the values of peace, denounced injustice. And, he was the first to show respect for others, he loved another man: and not in general, not possessively, but in his uniqueness and dignity, in his concrete conditions. He also wanted to leave it in writing in the document “The second belongs to me”
At the permission of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “At the side of the Saint”
St. Stanislaus BM Publisher, Kraków 2013
