In the Roman Curia, some opposed. They opposed due to the very complex Mexican situation, but also because of so many unknowns related to the fact that it was going to be the first pilgrimage. It was supposed to be the first phase, for some reasons accidental, of the great many pilgrimages that led the Holy Father to cross the glove seven times. Yes! It was another great novelty, something “different” of this pontificate. It has helped both expose the universal dimension of Catholicism and strengthen the ties between the Holy See and the local Churches. Due to its increasingly systematic, if not institutional character, pilgrimages has made the Papal ministry more itinerant and missionary in the nature. From now on, not only the word, but also the presence of the Pope, was a sign of intimacy, solidarity with a particular Church, with a particular nation. And yet, at least in the first period, there was a lot of polemics. Karol Wojtyła was accused of populism, seeking cheap support. Meanwhile, John Paul II was on the lookout for a man; every person, every person with blood and bones. He always claimed that it was not enough for the Pope to be in Rome, at the Vatican, and wait there for people to come to him. So, it was him who had to go and look for people at places where they live, work and suffer. And, people were noticing his sincerity. They understood that he believed in what he was saying when he spoke about God and the Gospel. And, they believed him because the Pope made the effort to speak in their language, so he immediately was in contact, almost in a dialogue.
Pilgrimages provided significant support to local churches, for Bishops. At the same time, they made a great influence, especially in countries where dictatorship was still in power, because the presence and words of the Pope gave people a sense of freedom and reminded them of respect for human rights and rights of their nation.
With the permission of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “At the side of the Saint”
St. Stanislaus B. & M. Publishing House, Kraków 2013
