Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik, Artur Hanula
Cardinal Ryś expressed joy that the first meeting of the Administrative Council, in which he participates as its superior, began with Holy Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II and a meeting with the Holy Father. “This is how it should be, that when Peter teaches, those who want to create something in the Church meet and listen to Peter first” – said the Metropolitan of Krakow.
Eucharist at the tomb of the Polish Pope
“I realized that I had been entrusted with the legacy of this great Krakow bishop, then bishop of the universal Church. This legacy must somehow be uplifted, cared for. This is the function of the foundation” – said the Vatican News interlocutor in the context of Wednesday morning’s Holy Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II.
Summarize activities, undertake new ones
The Metropolitan of Krakow noted that he wants to use the current meeting of the Administrative Council to learn as much as possible about its activities. He recalled that a significant part of the foundation’s funds is spent on scholarships for young people studying. “The foundation provides scholarships, and that is very pleasing” – assessed the cardinal.
Cardinal Ryś also pointed to numerous programs, study projects, academic and beyond, which serve to learn about the thought of John Paul II. “For example, there is a very interesting study at the Angelicum University – noted the cardinal. – There are studies on the thought of John Paul II.”
New stage in the foundation’s operation
“I had the opportunity to introduce the members of the Council. The Holy Father recognized us and thanked us for this meeting, blessing the entire foundation” – noted Fr. Paweł Ptasznik, chairman of the Administrative Council of the Vatican John Paul II Foundation. “I think this is an important moment for us, because it is the beginning of a new stage in the foundation’s operation” – he added.
“It was an important meeting for us and I think it will somehow accompany us during our deliberations, especially since we are starting this 45th anniversary year of the foundation and we want it to develop thanks to and together with the blessing of the Holy Father” – concluded Fr. Paweł Ptasznik.
Under the Pope’s care
Wojciech Halarewicz from the Administrative Council of the Vatican John Paul II Foundation emphasized that he perceives this meeting with the Pope from a rational perspective. “The Foundation is focused on its statutory activities and we are aware that the Pope watches over us. In such works, this element of cooperation or coexistence, both spiritual and rational, is extremely important” – he confessed in an interview with Vatican News.
“I already had the pleasure of participating in the Pope’s first general audience, but such a close meeting under the flag of the Vatican Foundation was a first for me” – said Wojciech Halarewicz, who participated in the Administrative Council meeting with Pope Francis along with his wife. “I will remember this morning for the rest of my life” – he added.
Mission of the Foundation
The Vatican John Paul II Foundation was established in 1981 to preserve and disseminate the legacy of the pontificate of the Polish Pope and to support the formation of young people, especially from Eastern Europe. The Foundation runs, among others, the Polish House in Rome, a Museum, and also the Documentation and Study Center of the Pontificate of John Paul II, it also grants academic scholarships to researchers coming to Rome to conduct scientific research related to the teachings of John Paul II, and organizes scientific and cultural initiatives.
