Janusz Poniewierski* once wrote that they are standing in front of him as in the court of conscience – these most difficult guests; those who knew that the Pope does not like their actions. Despite that he accepted them, and they were coming; and their legs were shaking. Arturo Mari once mentioned that Wojciech Jaruzelski was shaking so much that he feared whether the general would maintain his balance. (…) When the general was speaking at the airport, you could see the fear. Moreover, it was visible in many people. For every man, meeting with the Vicar of Christ was, the way it supposed to be, a challenge, a moment of reflection on oneself, over his/her life. It’s really felt like standing in front of the court of conscience, in truth in front of himself/herself. Especially those who participated in the Papal Mass, at first went to confession to be able to fully participate in the Mass, were aware with whom they are meeting. That they are meeting with the person, let say, the second after Jesus Christ. It had to impress every person, also those who were not very practicing. Maybe, especially them …
– There were few meetings with Jaruzelski. Did the Pope believe that meeting with him will change people?
– I think that he didn’t even believe as much as he knew these meetings were fruitful.
* Janusz Poniewierski – Polish Catholic journalist, author and editor of many books related to John Paul II.
With the consent of Archbishop Mokrzycki “He liked Tuesdays the most”
M Publisher, Kraków 2008
