Dorota Abdelmoula-Viet – Vatican
The publication is also a valuable memento, documenting the participation of Poles in meetings and celebrations in the heart of the Church.
Polish response to the desire of two popes
“Grzegorz Gałązka is one of the most recognizable Poles in the Vatican, although he is not an employee of the Roman Curia. He is one of the best photographers here, on site. He enjoys the respect and recognition of many communities – says Adam Kwiatkowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See, in an interview with Vatican media – The album prepared by him documents an exceptional year in which the whole world watched what was happening in the Vatican. I am very glad that, by the decision of Bernardinum Publishing House and in cooperation with the Marshal of the Małopolska Voivodeship, Łukasz Smółka, this publication has appeared, giving us the opportunity to return and reflect on these unique moments.”
As the head of the Polish diplomatic mission to the Vatican emphasizes, the presented book is a response to the appeals of Pope Francis and Leo XIV, that the Jubilee of Hope should become a time of pause and reflection, to which the Church will return even after the celebrations conclude. The album consists of several hundred evocative and mostly previously unpublished photographs, which allow not only to revisit last year’s events but also to reflect on their message and the atmosphere captured in the frame – as their author also mentioned.
The insightful gaze of the photographer
The photographs are accompanied by quotes from papal speeches and homilies, as well as descriptions prepared by Agnieszka Gałązka, the photographer’s daughter. As Grzegorz Gałązka emphasizes, behind each of them lies a unique event that was not always reflected in media reports. Such as the day of reconciliation during the Youth Jubilee, when thousands of young pilgrims went to confession in the Circo Massimo area, where over 200 confessionals were set up.
“I was most moved by the attitude of the French youth. Almost all of them confessed kneeling. I watched them for a long time, passing through that area twice – says the photographer – The album includes, among others, a photo of a French girl praying with a rosary and a phone. She was not browsing her phone, but praying, following the text of the prayer. Unfortunately, Italian television reports did not show a single shot of these young French people confessing. And it’s a pity, because it was a truly profound and beautiful moment. One of those that show the true face of the young Church.”
As the author of the photos emphasizes, the diversity of the photographs, in which he captured historical events, was important to him. “This is not an official album, but moments in which I was present, which I noticed, experienced, and to which I gladly want to return – he says – I hope that readers will also be able to find there a moment of their stay in Rome, in the Vatican, from a meeting with the Pope, or perhaps from an event they couldn’t get to, despite their efforts.”
Jubilee of two popes
An important part of the album is also the time of Pope Francis’ illness and passing, and the election of Leo XIV. “In the history of the Church, it has only happened two or three times that one Pope opened the Holy Door and another closed it. The year 2025 became one of those unique moments. This experience of sede vacante during the Holy Year was something extraordinary – recalls Gałązka – The album also contains photos from the preparations for the conclave and the conclave itself. On various pages of the album, we can find all Polish cardinals. (…) One of my favorite photos shows the new Pope leading the Roman Curia before the Holy Door with the jubilee cross. It is a symbolic moment. A new Pope, a new stage, and at the same time the continuity of tradition.”
The album titled “The Most Interesting Moments of the Holy Year 2025” was published by Bernardinum Publishing House. The partner of the edition is the Self-Government of the Małopolska Voivodeship. Introductions to the publication were written by the Marshal of the Małopolska Voivodeship, Łukasz Smółka, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See, Adam Kwiatkowski.
