Pope Francis opens visit to Poland marking WYD
PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska
28.07.2016 14:40
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A report by Elżbieta Krajewska
On Thursday, the pontiff began the second day of his visit to Poland, the host country of this year’s World Youth Day.
Pope Francis waves to the faithful and pilgrims upon his arrival at the Shrine of Czestochowa to celebrate the Holy Mass of the 1,050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland 28 July 2016. Photo: EPA/Daniel Dal Zennaro
The day’s programme includes a solemn Mass celebrated at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Częstochowa and… a tram ride in Kraków with young and handicapped pilgrims to World Youth Day.
Pope Francis’ visit to Poland officially began on Wednesday afternoon on Wawel Hill, where he was welcomed by Polish President Andrzej Duda.
In his opening speech, Pope Francis said that this was his first visit to Central-Eastern Europe and that he was happy Poland was his first stop. He also spoke out for "wisdom and compassion" towards migrants fleeing war and hunger. "The world is at war, but it is not a war of religions" he said.
In Częstochowa, at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, a site of key historical significance to Poles, about half a million attended the Mass led by Pope Francis for the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. He spoke of love, humility – and power: “To be attracted by power, by grandeur, by appearances, is tragically human. It is a great temptation that tries to insinuate itself everywhere. But to give oneself to others, eliminating distances, dwelling in littleness and living the reality of one’s everyday life: this is exquisitely divine”.
World Youth Day, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is being held this year under the slogan "Blessed are the Merciful.”