– Was he aware of dying?
– I think so.
– Those moments …
– … Hardest. Although we tried not to show it. We did not want to cry in front of the Holy Father. We didn’t want to make him sad.
I do not remember at what point I went to the terrace of the Apostolic Palace. From above I saw crowds of people. Like a river, they flowed through the streets. From all over the world. Whoever could, came. They prayed, they prayed the Rosary. It was very comforting. There was such a great unity and solidarity with John Paul II.
– Did the Pope in his bedroom hear noises from the square?
– Nope. Windows mute sounds. There were no voices from downstairs.
– At what point did John Paul II say: ‘Let me go to the Lord’?
– I don’t remember. Maybe on Friday, maybe on Saturday. There was a bustle of doctors, nurses. He said it to sister Tobiana. I didn’t hear it.
In these last days, friends and close associates came to say goodbye. The Pope greeted them while lying down and made the sign of the cross in accordance with Italian custom. At first it was very sad for me. I thought: “What are they doing? After all, they behave as if they were saying the final goodbye to the Pope.” I didn’t want to accept the fact that he was leaving.
Secretary of two Holy Fathers – conversation with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki.
Wydawnictwo Literackie Publishing House
