On January 28, 2022, at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome, medals were presented to Sr. Julia Marta Knurek (bronze cross of merit) and Fr. Andrzej Dobrzyński (gold cross of merit). The medals were awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, for their contribution to documenting the pontificate of John Paul II and the dissemination of Polish culture in Italy and in Polish communities. Ambassador Anna Maria Anders presented medals to the awardees in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the FAO, Mr. Artur Pollok.
The ambassador emphasized the scientific achievements of the awarded people and their daily work at the Center for Documentation and Study of the Pontificate of John Paul II in Rome, which is an integral part of the John Paul II Foundation, supported by Polish communities assembled in the Foundation’s Chapters. She also pointed out that the Center cooperates with institutions in the country, e.g. with the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, preparing a publishing series “John Paul II. Polish Bibliography”.
Father Andrzej Dobrzyński thanked for the distinction, emphasizing that it is also a tribute to the efforts of those who have worked at the Center since 1981. He pointed out that this award is an impulse for further work, the more so because the young generation does not remember and does not know the figure of the Polish Pope.
