I was helping every day to everyone who needed it. However, I was aware that I was brought here mainly to provide medical care to the Pope himself at the end of his life. There were very big emotions associated with it.
On February 11, 2003, I was called to come immediately to the Papal apartment. It was then that for the first time I had direct contact with John Paul II here in the Vatican. I greeted the Pope and his secretary, Father Stanisław Dziwisz, Father Mietek Mokrzycki and others who were in the room. I was asked for an opinion on whether John Paul II should take part in the ceremony, which was about to begin. In fact, I was directly asked if I thought the Pope was able to celebrate Mass. I was dumbfounded. The World Day of the Sick was just being celebrated, the Pope was very keen to be among the people who came to the celebrations, but he had a very high fever, almost thirty-nine and a half degrees. In a firm voice, he said: “I can do it, I want to go there”, but other members of the household preferred to seek medical advice. His personal physician, Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, and the resuscitator were also present. Father Dziwisz wanted to know what the opinion of each of us is. Later I noticed that he had such a habit. It was a very simple but very significant expression of respect for our work. The doctor was probably quite moved by the whole situation, and I tried to give the impression of a composed and calm person, although I was also torn by great emotions.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
