Fr. Łukasz Bankowski – Vatican
Here is the full text of the Pope’s greeting
I cordially greet the Poles. Yesterday you celebrated Mother’s Day. I thank all mothers who, with generosity, have given the gift of life and care for their children, teaching them love for God and neighbor. May the Holy Mother of God intercede for them the grace of a lasting bond with Jesus. With Her help, protect in your Homeland the life of every human being – from conception to natural death. I bless you all!
Polish pilgrims present at the audience
Among the participants of the audience were the Primate of Poland, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, Bishop Szymon Stułkowski, Bishop of Płock, and Bishop Adam Bab, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Lublin. They accompanied a group of pilgrims who are traveling from Vienna to Rome in the footsteps of St. Stanislaus Kostka.
Many youth and school groups from Poland also arrived in the Vatican. Among them were students and teachers from the Piarist Order School Complex in Poznań, youth from Świnoujście and Rzeszów, confirmation candidates from Iłów in the Diocese of Łowicz, and students from the Ursuline school in Lublin. Scouts from the 17th Multi-level Scout Troop “Sandomiria” from Sandomierz and the youth ministry from Poznań were also present in St. Peter’s Square.
A special group consisted of Pallottines celebrating their 50th anniversary of priestly ordination. Pilgrims from parishes in Lublin, Dynów, Przemyśl, and Nysa, as well as Polish representatives of the UN Peacekeeping Veterans Association, also participated in the audience.
Polish youth from across Europe remember Monte Cassino
One of the largest groups was the “Institute for Polonia” Association from Naples, along with participants of the International Historical Tournament on Monte Cassino. Approximately 150 students from Polish schools operating in Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium, and Hungary came to Rome.
Among the participants were Polish schools from Rome, Ostia, Lago Patria, Edinburgh, Oxford, Belfast, Budapest, and Ghent, among others. The presence of youth from various European countries became a symbol of living memory of Polish history and concern for preserving Polish identity outside the homeland.
The presence of Poles in St. Peter’s Square today, arriving both in organized groups and individually, showed the diversity of the contemporary Church in Poland – from youth and families to clergy, scouts, teachers, and Polish communities scattered throughout Europe.
