– It was during the times of Paul VI that my adventure with the Vatican’s world began. After his death, which took place in the summer residence of the Popes in Castel Gandolfo, John Paul I was elected. However, as we remember, suddenly, after only thirty-three days, it turned out that the Pope was dead.
For all of us working inside the Vatican, this came as a big shock. The night before I had gone home normally, and when I returned the next morning, I saw a white and yellow flag lowered on St. Anne’s Gate, over the Swiss Guards’ watch room. Such a sight very rarely happens. In fact, only when the Pope dies.
It was unbelievable that after only a month we had to organize another conclave. But, the most improbable thing was yet to come. Because probably no one thought who would become the successor of John Paul I.
I met Karol Wojtyła when he was a bishop, although at that time I did not know exactly who he was. He rarely appeared in the Roman Curia. He returned as a Cardinal in October 1978. He came to the conclave, which was choosing John Paul I. He was one of the youngest cardinals there. And, even then I sometimes saw him in the corridors of the Apostolic Palace, although he was still not a figure well known to me.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
pages: 18 – 19
