Cardinal Dziwisz is in Rome during the days related to Francis’ funeral ceremonies. He recalls the ties connecting the Pope from Poland and the Pope from Argentina.
Administrative Ties
“It was John Paul II who appointed Bergoglio as bishop, coadjutor in Argentina, and cardinal. So there were ties, also along a very administrative, ecclesiastical line. The contact was very close. When John Paul II was on a pastoral visit to Argentina, he met with the local bishops, and among them, Cardinal Bergoglio was the highest-ranking exponent” – adds Cardinal Dziwisz.
Similar Approach to Youth
And he explains that Francis shared the same pastoral approach to the person, to youth, with John Paul II.
“He became a successor to John Paul II. Of course, every pope has his own program, and the legacy of origin and culture also influences this program, but their pastoral spirit was the same. Both always sought the good of societies and nations, and above all, young people. Both these popes knew that young people are the future of the Church, but also of contemporary society. Both saw the future in the hearts and eyes of young people” – he adds.
Both were Popes of Mercy
He also recalls the great devotion of both popes to Divine Mercy and the message conveyed by St. Faustina. John Paul II, above all, was convinced of what Faustina said, that the world would not know peace until it turned with trust to Divine Mercy.
“And so did Pope Francis. It’s extraordinary, he believed that world peace could only be achieved through devotion to Divine Mercy” – says the cardinal. And he adds that this very deep connection between the two popes was precisely on the issue of referring to Divine Mercy, as well as on the issue of hope. Francis first announced the Jubilee of Mercy, now the Jubilee of Hope.
John Paul II went to meet Francis
“I think they have already met (in heaven – ed.). John Paul II, a man of God, surely went to meet his next successor to present him to Jesus Christ. Maybe it wasn’t necessary, because Jesus knew him, but they were there together. I trust that now, just as John Paul II supports the Church, our Homeland, so the current Pope who has passed away will certainly support the Church and Latin America, which was always close to his heart” – adds Cardinal Dziwisz. – “He always closely followed all ecclesiastical movements in South America, but not only – he was the shepherd of the entire Church.”
Personal meetings with Bergoglio
Stanisław Dziwisz recalls that he met the future Pope Francis already in Argentina, when he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Buenos Aires. At this ceremony, Archbishop Bergoglio delivered the laudation.
“That’s when I got to know him closely. He got to know me too. A closeness, perhaps a friendship, was established then. I’m not talking about friendship with the Pope, but with the Archbishop of Argentina, yes” – explains Cardinal Dziwisz. – “And then we were together at the conclave. He sat on the other side, two meters from me. So there was that contact, physical as well, but above all moral, friendship. During his last days, the Holy Father wrote two personal letters to me! In them, he also expressed himself about these contacts with me and through me sent greetings to the Church in Poland” – adds Cardinal Dziwisz.
