The entire Jubilee Year was a special time for him, for which he was particularly prepared. The Holy Land was perhaps the most symbolic moment of this jubilee. At the source, the Holy Father was able to give thanks the Lord God for the grace of redemption and for many years of Christianity.
– And even though it was not in the plan, he went to Golgotha?
– Someone missed it, someone did not notice it. And, indeed Golgotha in the pilgrimage plan was not included. One day, we came back for dinner and the Holy Father after dinner said: “I was not on Golgotha hill.” A short consternation. The organizer of the pilgrimage replied that now such an expedition is impossible, because the area has not been secured, because there is a lot of people and traffic on the streets. The Holy Father replied: “I cannot go home until I go there.” It is difficult to oppose the Pope. At the end, in two or three cares they were squeezing in the traffic, so the Holy Father could see the place of Christ’s crucifixion. He was told that he will need to climb steep stairs and that it will be difficult for him. But, the Holy Father did not even want to hear that he would not go to Golgotha. He decided and he went.
– And, he was able to do it?
– Yes, he was able.
– How it was possible that someone forgot about such a place?
– Omission, simply. Maybe because the Holy Father went to the Tomb, and this is not far away. Then, there was a meeting, something else and more. And, in this chaos, somehow it was omitted.
With the permission of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – “He liked Tuesdays the most”
M Publishing House, Krakow 2008
