Vatican News / Fr. Łukasz Bankowski – Vatican City
Wieliczka awaits Leo XIV
A delegation from the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine and the Parish of St. Clement came to Rome with a specific desire: to invite Leo XIV to visit the mine.
“We hope that in 2028 we will be able to host Leo at our mine,” Łukasz Sadkiewicz, Vice-President of the Management Board of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, told Vatican News.
For the miners, such a meeting would have special significance. In 1997, the mine was prepared to welcome John Paul II. Due to his health, however, the Pope was unable to visit it.
Wojtyła in the mine three times
Mariusz, one of the mine employees, speaks about Karol Wojtyła’s special bond with Wieliczka. He recalls that the future Pope visited it three times. For the first time in 1930 as a ten-year-old student during a school trip, then in 1936 as a high school student, and for the last time in 1971, already as a cardinal and Metropolitan of Kraków.
“Unfortunately, we did not live to see his visit as the Holy Father, but we came here to him many times,” Mariusz says.
One of such pilgrimages had a special character. In 2003, for the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s pontificate, the miners brought a papal cross modeled on his crosier to Rome. “He personally blessed it for us on the steps in front of the Basilica. It was a huge event for us,” Mariusz recalls. Today, the cross is located in the Chapel of St. Kinga – the largest underground chapel of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine.
“Wojtek, a Pole has become Pope”
For Wojciech, one of the miners, the Mass at the tomb of John Paul II brought back another very personal memory. Speaking about it, he did not hide his emotion.
“I remember when I came home and my father told me: ‘Wojtek, a Pole has become Pope.’ It was an amazing event for us. I was 13 years old then,” he recalls with a trembling voice.
As he says, John Paul II is a special figure for him also because his pontificate spanned almost half of his life so far.
Kurpie region thanks for 100 years of the diocese
Pilgrims from Kadzidło, who came to Rome on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Łomża, also prayed at the tomb of St. John Paul II. The group includes local government representatives, parishioners, and youth who appeared in traditional Kurpie costumes during Wednesday’s general audience.
“This is a moment to join forces, thank God, and ask for the necessary graces,” says Fr. Zbigniew Wądłowski, parish priest of the parish in Kadzidło. He points out that the pilgrimage is also meant to build community.
During the audience, the pilgrims managed to hand Leo XIV a Polish-English album dedicated to Kurpie traditions. “I hope he will read it, see it, and miss Poland, and visit us someday,” says Anna Śniadach, mayor of the Kadzidło commune.
For Renata, the pilgrimage is her first stay in Rome. The Mass at the tomb of John Paul II was a particularly moving experience for her. “He became Pope when I was three years old, so John Paul II was the Pope for my entire life,” she recalls. As she adds, she will remember his focus and special entrustment to Mary the most.
Half a century together
Yet another intention was brought to the tomb of John Paul II by a married couple celebrating 50 years of life together in Rome.
“It is something wonderful to live so many years together – in health, happiness, and love. To enjoy our sons, our grandchildren, and on this anniversary to have the strength to come here to celebrate it,” says Mrs. Cecylia.
The couple does not hide the fact that choosing Rome and the tomb of John Paul II was not accidental. “He was a great man, wonderful. I pray to him. We love him and I always get emotional,” says the jubilee celebrant.
Holy Mass for their intention was celebrated by Fr. Henryk Polak from the Diocese of Drohiczyn, who is accompanying the couple during their anniversary pilgrimage. “It couldn’t have been any other way,” he summed up.
