During the celebrations and meetings with the faithful in the Vatican, the Pope, riding a papamobile, was usually accompanied by three people. Pietro Cocchetti sat behind the wheel, next to him the place in the front was traditionally occupied by the Papal butler, who for years was Angelo Gugel, and in the back next to the Holy Father was always one of his secretaries: either Father Stanisław Dziwisz or Father Mieczysław Mokrzycki. That’s how I remember them. After the liturgy, I sometimes returned home around, along the so-called Way of the Foundations, behind the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica. And, then I often saw the Pope coming from the side through a small gate in his car. The applause of the crowds on the square had not yet subsided, and he was passing a few meters from me, in complete silence that wrapped the Vatican’s back room. And, he was smiling, although physically at that time he was already exhausted and he always raised his hand, waved. Sometimes Pietro slowed down and the Holy Father exchanged two words with me. After a while they moved on, to the house.
Daily duties resulted in a very strong bond between the driver and the Pope. Pietro accompanied the Pope not only in joyful moments full of enthusiasm, but also in difficult, sometimes even depressing situations.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
Pages: 217 – 218
