He knew I was a guards tailor, but he asked where I came from. So I replied: “From Abruzzo, Holy Father.” The Pope said to me: “Well, I hear, I hear by accent, but from where?” I am surprised – I specify: “From the province of Teramo”. And, he seemingly more and more impatient, continues to jokingly talk: “I understand, but I ask from where!” So, I finally said: “From Giulianova.” Then he said, “Oh, I know! I’ve already been to the sanctuary of San Gabriele twice.” And, we both started laughing heartily.
John Paul II was able to give very personal character to such short meetings, moments of one-on-one conversations. He was entirely for you at that time, the world around you did not exist, at that moment you were the most important. And, it allowed me to feel great joy, even pride, but at the same time it intimidated me very much. I knew that the Pope knew my native area very well, after all, he secretly slipped out of the Vatican, usually on Tuesdays, to walk in our lands in the mountains, and in the winter he skied there. However, I was so stressed by his inquiry that I almost forgot my tongue in my mouth.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi “It happened in the Vatican”
Znak Publishing House. Kraków 2020
Pages: 99 – 101
