I would like to draw attention to the new possibilities of influence that open up in front of the Foundation. I am thinking here of the countries of Eastern Europe. Poland was always open to the values of the culture of other nations, took them over, enriched Polish customs with them and then passed these values on to its fellow citizens. In this openness and cultural function of the bridge, the central location of Poland, between East and West, South and North, was helpful. Recently, Poland has also benefited from the help of emigration in its struggle to preserve its identity and cultural sovereignty. Now, is the time to serve our experiences and to share our achievements with other nations, especially those located to the east of Poland. These nations can boast of the lasting contribution they have made and continue to make to the treasury of pan-European culture. The enormity of their sufferings, heroic fidelity and perseverance in the struggle to preserve the highest human, national and Christian values deserve deep respect and oblige us to help these peoples. I would like to emphasize the great role played here by the Polish diaspora of the eastern countries. Today, there are opportunities for us to share with our fellows the wealth that has already become ours. Such a generous exchange of gifts – I think – must also be used here and concretely applied. Poland lies at the crossroads of Eurasia, which forces Poles to look far to the West and the East, and at the same time to cultivate everything that creates our Cultural Identity.
When I speak of culture, of course, I still mean Christian culture as the common good of Europe. In Poland and other Slavic countries, culture has been preserved in its Christian form. And, culture understood in this way is the roots of Europe and was the most beautiful gift for the world. And, now it is necessary to show anew the value and beauty of this culture to Europe, and not only to Europe. This would be the greatest gift that Poland and the Slavic countries could reciprocate to the entire Europe and the world – on the threshold of the third millennium. I think that the Foundation can also contribute to this great work of re-evangelization of culture.
Dear brothers and sisters! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this meeting. Your presence is a testimony of readiness to serve the good of the Church in our homeland and in your countries of residence. May God reward with His graces all those without exception who are in charge of the Foundation. Convey my words of gratitude, as well as my greetings and blessings, to your families and loved ones, to your communities, of which you are representatives, and also to those who could not be here with us. I entrust all donors and the entire Polish community in the West and East to the protection of the Blessed Mother. In the words of the Psalmist, I ask the Lord God that ” Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands” (cf. Ps 90[89]:17).
I ask the Cardinals and Archbishops to bless with me to all those present here.
(10th anniversary of the John Paul II Foundation Vatican City, September 26, 1991)
Do not stop in this good work. Papal Speeches to the John Paul II Foundation
