The Archbishop mentions that the Holy Father himself did not decorate the Christmas trees. Sisters always did it. The Holy Father liked to watch the sisters hang Christmas ornaments and how the Christmas tree gets prettier and prettier – he says. If time allowed, we were also watching. But, gentlemen were coming to help, because some of the trees were of considerable size. The sisters couldn’t do it by themselves. There were lights and Christmas balls. The latter we had a lot, different sizes and colors. From different parts of the world, also from Poland, also from Podhale. With folk motifs, sometimes even with an eagle. Apparently, it was possible to find among them those on which specific Polish monuments and churches were painted. There was a monastery at Jasna Góra, there were scenes from Krakow, so close to the Pope’s heart. We sometimes laughed that the entire Poland was hanging on this Christmas tree – says the Archbishop with a smile. In any case, the sisters had a lot to choose from. But they also hung gingerbread, fruits. They decorated these Christmas trees very beautifully. There have always different Christmas tree chains.
With Christmas trees in the Papal apartments it was like with nativity scenes. In every corner they testified to Christmas. A dozen or so days before Christmas, they were already in the apartment to be seen and felt. And, John Paul II was delighted with this view and smell. The Holy Father always stopped at the Christmas tree and admired it. He was standing and looking – says the Archbishop. I sometimes wondered if he was praying at the time. Probably yes. I never asked. Because it’s none of my business.
With the consent of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – “Place for everyone”
Znak Publishing House, Kraków 2013.
