Numerous events have been planned in Rome to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of St. John Paul II. The Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B.M. will serve as the venue for religious ceremonies and Passion concerts. The main celebration will take place on April 2 at 3:00 pm at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where a Holy Mass will be celebrated to mark the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s return to the House of the Father, presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State.
In the coming days, the Eternal City will host a series of events related to the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s passing, organized or co-organized by the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B.M. in Rome.
“This place has a strong connection with the Holy Father John Paul II, who was its protector for many years as Archbishop and Metropolitan of Kraków,” notes Fr. Tomasz Jarosz, administrator of the Church and Hospice. He recalls that Karol Wojtyła visited this church as many as eighty-nine times—first as a bishop, then as an archbishop, and later as a cardinal. “During these visits, he celebrated Masses, delivered lectures, and met with other bishops,” the priest adds. His bond with this place deepened over time, and for the future Pope, the Church of St. Stanislaus B.M. became “a piece of Poland in Rome.” “This is evidenced by the fact that he visited it three more times even after becoming the Successor of St. Peter,” emphasizes Fr. Jarosz.
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 6:00 pm, a Holy Mass will be held at the church on Via delle Botteghe Oscure 15 in Rome, offered for the intention of our homeland. Immediately afterward, at 7:00 pm, the Kraków-based vocal ensemble OCTAVA Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Zygmunt Magiera, will perform selections from the Passion Song repertoire in a concert titled Passues et Resurrexi. This a cappella vocal presentation will depict the Passion of Jesus Christ through music. The program will feature the most beautiful choral works on the theme of the Passion, spanning various eras, cultures, and compositional techniques, unified by the purity and harmony of the human voice, narrating the mystery of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. The event is co-organized by the Institute for Intercultural Dialogue in Kraków. Admission is free.
On Monday, March 31, 2025, at 7:15 pm, the Church of St. Stanislaus B.M. in Rome will host the vocal ensemble of the Kraków Philharmonic, under the artistic direction of Piotr Piwko, presenting a musical Passion mystery titled Plankty Polskie i Dawne Pieśni Pasyjne (Polish Laments and Ancient Passion Songs). The evening will feature an artistic repertoire of vocal and instrumental works deeply rooted in the beautiful musical tradition of Holy Week. Admission is free.
On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 8:30 pm, at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B.M. in Rome, in collaboration with the Beethoven Association, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See, the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region, the Kraków City Office, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music, the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic in Kraków, the Pontifical University of John Paul II, and PKN Orlen, will co-organize a concert titled Credo. The event will commemorate both the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s passing and the 5th anniversary of the passing of composer Krzysztof Penderecki. Registration is required for participation.
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 3:00 pm, a Holy Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, marking the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s return to the House of the Father. It will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State. Later that evening, at 9:00 pm, a prayer vigil in Polish and Italian will take place at St. Peter’s Square. Admission is free.
On Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM, in the St. John Paul II Hall on Via delle Botteghe Oscure 15, a religious and cultural evening will be held in honor of the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s passing. The event is organized by the Vatican’s John Paul II Foundation in collaboration with the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B.M. in Rome. Admission is free.
Natalia Pieśniewska, Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B.M. in Rome
