– I remember exactly as if it were yesterday. I came to Rome and immediately had a two-week training here in the Vatican. At that time, preparation for active service took much less time than it does now. I saw the Pope for the first time at the very beginning of my ministry, literally on the first day. I came across a unique place – sala Regia, or Royal Hall. John Paul II celebrated Holy Mass that day in the Pauline Chapel for the alumni of the Pontifical Major Roman Seminary and immediately after the celebration he had a meeting with the seminarians in this Hall, which was directly adjacent to the chapel. I have never seen such interiors before in my life. I was looking on every detail. The clerics lined up along the wall in a semicircle, the Pope approached each of them one by one, I stood on duty behind their backs. I was immensely proud. For the first time in my life I wore a gala outfit, this multi-colored one, I had a saber at my side, a biret on my head. The Pope was getting closer and closer, suddenly I look – I am exactly opposite him, completely alone! I don’t know where everyone disappeared! I got cold feet; I was like paralyzed. He smiled, got even closer to me, noticed that I was definitely new because he didn’t know me yet, and shook my hand with that small, simple gesture, encouraging me.
This was my first direct meeting with John Paul II. I remember his look, the strength that emanated from him… Then, in 1987, he was a young Pope, a young man. Fit, athletic – it was visible from afar – full of vigor. Exactly the same as we remember from various films and recordings from that period. Great power was radiating from him. He seemed invincible to me.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
Pages: 97 – 99
