Vatican News / Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik, Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican City
Answering a question from Vatican News about who John Paul II was to him personally, the Vatican Secretary of State noted that he began serving in the Holy See three years before the Polish Pope’s death.
“In 2002, three years before his death, I was appointed Undersecretary of the Section for Relations with States,” says Cardinal Parolin, admitting that contacts with the Pope at that time took place mainly through his superiors.
Meeting in Mexico
“However, I had more than one opportunity to meet him personally,” says the Cardinal. “Above all, I remember the time we spent together in Mexico in 1990, when the Pope returned there for the first time since his 1979 journey. He came to visit Mexico then, and I was serving as the secretary of the apostolic delegation. So we hosted him in our house and had meals together in the evenings,” recalls the Secretary of State.
He speaks of being deeply moved by the opportunity to take a seat at the table with the Holy Father and of John Paul II’s sense of humor, which eased his stage fright.
Witness of Prayer
“I also remember his prayer,” the Cardinal tells Vatican News. “It was precisely on this occasion that I was able to observe him a bit more closely and see how he would get up very early in the morning, go to the chapel, and remain there for a very long time. It was truly an extraordinary and edifying witness,” adds Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Holy Mass at the Tomb of John Paul II
In the morning, Cardinal Parolin celebrated Holy Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II on the liturgical memorial of the holy Pope. He noted that John Paul II desired to be the “floor” upon which people walk to Christ. He also asked for prayers for peace in the world through the saint’s intercession.
“We truly entrust ourselves to his intercession, that the Church may continue to remain faithful to her Lord, and that peace may reign in the world,” the Cardinal emphasized in an interview with Vatican News.
