It was Sunday, October 22, 1978. The new Pope, the first Slavic Pope in history, begins his Peter’s ministry. In his homily, during the solemn inauguration, he said the unforgettable words: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development.” This appeal was addressed not only to Catholics, not only to Christians. These words were unprecedented because man’s temptation to reject God in the name of freedom and independence has reached a global dimension, above all divisions. In his homily, the Holy Father expressed his spirit, his thought, and his program. He was expressing the program of his life, heart, piety, and pastoral ministry in the universal Church, which he was beginning at the time as the Successor of St. Peter. The words “Open the door!” and “Do not be afraid!” were the motto of his life and the guiding thought of the pontificate. They were to give strength and courage, especially to the enslaved nations to which they were heralding freedom. With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
