Pope greets Polish pilgrims on St John Paul II’s feast
day
(Vatican Radio) During
Saturday’s Jubilee
of Mercy audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis extended a special
greeting to the Polish pilgrims present, remembering the 1050th anniversary of
the baptism of their nation, and the feast day the Polish-born pontiff, St John
Paul II.
“Exactly 38 years ago, at
about this time, in this square, there resounded these words to men and women
throughout the world: ‘Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ’.”
In remembrance of the feast
day of St John Paul II, Pope Francis recalled these words delivered by his
predecessor during his first Mass as the Roman pontiff on October 22, 1978.
The legacy of the papacy of
John Paul II, who was born Karol Józef Wojtyła, is a prolific one.
Over the course of his more
than 26 years in office, he visited 129 countries, founded World Youth Day, and
was instrumental in the fall of the Berlin Wall.
St John Paul II also had a
special devotion to the Divine Mercy; in the year 2000, he officially
designated the first Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday which he
himself had founded.
A poet and an avid sportsman,
he continued to write poetry throughout his pontificate, and remained active
until his final years.
The Polish-born pontiff was
also known for his writings on human sexuality, most notably his Theology of
the Body.
John Paul II was beatified in
2011 by Benedict XVI, and was canonized three years later by Pope Francis on
the feast of Divine Mercy.
Addressing the 100,000
pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square this Saturday, Pope Francis reflected on
how it was Poland’s historical and cultural inheritance which filled John Paul
II with hope, strength, and courage to “open wide the doors of Christ”.
“This invitation,” the Pope
said, “was transformed by an unceasing proclamation of the Gospel of mercy for
the world and for mankind, of which this Jubilee Year is a continuation”
The Holy Father went on to
reflect on the feast of St John Paul II, especially his relevance for young
people, the suffering, and newly married couples.
“May his consistent witness
of faith be a lesson for you, dear young people, for confronting the challenges
of life,” the Pope said. He then invited the sick to “embrace with hope the
cross of illness,” and told newly married couples to seek his intercession in
order that their new families may never be lacking in love.
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