At 9 a.m. John Paul II was going to his office where he was dictating speeches, sermons, homilies. After breaking his arm, he could no longer write them himself. When I started working in the Apostolic Palace, it was my job to record these speeches. Then, when I had more responsibilities, the Prelate Paweł Ptasznik – Head of the Polish Section of the Secretariat of State took care of this. The Holy Father spoke quickly, efficiently, without corrections. You had to focus a lot.
– The Pope himself prepared his speeches? Was the priest surprised when you were writing the Papal texts?
I was surprised that the Holy Father dictated everything from memory. He didn’t use books. He didn’t use scientific sources, everything was thoughtful. He once recalled that a scientist came to him and said: “The Holy Father does not use footnotes in his books! You do not refer to sources, you do not post bibliography!” The Pope calmly replied: “You know, because there is such a difference between me and you that you are a scientist and I am the creator.” Yes, he was the creator. What he was saying was precise, it did not require corrections.
Secretary of two Popes – conversation with Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki.
Wydawnictwo Literackie Publishing House
