We had already prepared our trips out of town a few days earlier. I was leaving with one of my colleagues for reconnaissance, we analyzed maps, and we chose the right place where we could stop, pitch a tent, organize a picnic, and above all spend a few hours in peace and silence.
A key condition when choosing the destination of the trip was the existence of escape routes in the event of unexpected events. Therefore, as a rule, we eliminated places to which only one trail led, even if they were beautiful or extremely charming. Valentino Pinci served as a Papal driver during these secret trips. Previously, he co-decided on the direction of the escapade. Then, on the day of departure, they were all together – all five of them. The gentlemen joined the ranks of the gendarmerie in a similar period, in the early eighties. Everyone spent the vast part of their lives, and by no means complaining about their fat in the service during audiences and celebrations, of which there were countless during the pontificate of John Paul II. They had one thing in common – unbearable discretion… Twice after the death of John Paul II, we were together in Poland, in Małopolska, beloved by the Pope. For the first time on the occasion of the presentation of the best-selling book by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz and Gianfranco Svidercoschi “Testimony” in Krakow, and the second time during the ceremonial opening of the new Museum of the John Paul II Family Home in Wadowice. Both of these trips, which I had the privilege of co-organizing and piloting on the part of the Vatican, being also a translator of Roman guests, were embellished with wonderful stories of gendarmes. This handful of people is a treasure trove of memories about which they have so far remained silent like a grave. They spent countless hours with John Paul II. Some are still in active service in the Vatican Gendarmerie and are currently working for Pope Francis, they cannot talk about the times alongside his predecessors. Others, like the aforementioned Valentino, recognized that their mission to the Pope was a very personal matter that should never see the light of day. Until today. Until this book is written.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
pages: 154 – 156
