– Priest, did you dream to go to the Vatican with Bishop Jaworski and see the Pope?
– I dreamed, but I did not have the courage to ask my boss for it. In 1991, I saw the Pope for the second time. John Paul II came with a pilgrimage to Poland. To the surprise of many, he also visited our Lubaczów.
– Cardinal Marian Jaworski recalled: “At the time, everyone was surprised as to why the Pope came to this town, where there are not even railway platforms. But, the Holy Father knew what he was doing. It was, after all, a part of the Archdiocese of Lvov. He was well versed in the history of the Church in this area.”
– The pilgrimage to Lubaczów took place at the request of John Paul II. It was a symbolic draw of the world’s attention to what is still happening in the East, behind the Iron Curtain. Many of the faithful from the Soviet Union came to meet the Pope. His words spiritually supported them.
During this visit, everybody around the Pope was astonished. Since the morning, he was in Rzeszów. He was tired, as if without energy. When he came to us, he suddenly regained his strength. He became joyful, cheerful. He emphasized that he is visiting the Archdiocese of Lvov. Besides, he knew how much people were involved in the preparations related to his arrival. Throughout the day and night they built a beautiful altar with no metal structures. All ti was done voluntarily, without pay.
– So, in Lubaczów for the first time the priest personally met with John Paul II?
– I just briefly said hello. During the visit, I dealt with organizational matters and did not have the opportunity to closer meet the Holy Father.
Secretary of two Popes – conversation with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki.
Wydawnictwo Literackie Publishing House
