Cardinal Wojtyła traveled a lot, often invited abroad. He began by visiting the Polish community, scattered throughout the world. He also made pilgrimages, for example, to the Holy Land, about which he wrote in a beautiful letter – reportage of a spiritual nature, addressed to the priests of Kraków. He described his great emotions at the sight of the place the Lord liked to enter into the history of mankind at a certain moment. In addition, he received numerous invitations to attend conferences and congresses to speak at major events such as the International Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne, where he first met Mother Teresa of Calcutta, or a similar congress in Philadelphia. Travel provided an opportunity to learn about the realities of other continents, not only Europe and America, but also Asia, Oceania. Above all, however, they have contributed to the knowledge and understanding of people living under different geographical widths, in very different conditions. These journeys played a significant role in preparing him for the future mission of the Pastor of the universal Church. Cardinal Karol Wojtyła often traveled to the Vatican. He was a member of many Roman dicasteries. Returning to Rome, he happily saw how, under the influence of the Council, the Curia was becoming more and more international. Every time he stayed in Rome, he was welcomed by Pope Paul VI in an audience. The Pope greatly appreciated the young metropolitan of Krakow. He respected him for his deep spirituality, pastoral courage, intellectual formation, serenity, fidelity and loyalty. He repeatedly showed his kindness to him. In 1976, he asked him to lead lent retreat at the Vatican. It was a great distinction and at the same time a huge responsibility.
With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
