Pope Francis set off on his first trip to Poland on Wednesday to preside at an global Catholic youth jamboree, a usually joyous event that has been dampened by the murder of a priest in a church in France. The pope made the comments while en route from Rome to the Polish city of Krakow, where he will join hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims – including 32 from the Archdiocese of New Orleans – attending World Youth Day.
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“When I speak of war I speak of wars over interests, money, resources, not religion”. All religions want peace, it’s the others who want war’.
Pope Francis has urged Poland’s leaders “to overcome fear” and show compassion to migrants. “It’s a disaster.” Thankfully, relics of St. Mary Magdalene were brought from France and will be displayed in a case by the alter throughout the World Youth Day festivities.
“The (Polish) Church is a bit uneasy about this visit”, said philosopher of religion, Zbigniew Mikolejko.
The pope, 79, who voiced “pain and horror” at the “barbaric killing” of the priest, is likely to condemn the persecution of Christians while warning Europe not to succumb to xenophobia.
Let us be silent, the Pope said, as he spoke to them about a 22 year old WYD volunteer who died on the 2nd of July of cancer having been diagnosed in November of last year.
Francis’ five-day trip to the Krakow area will take place in the shadow of his predecessor, John Paul, who has cult-like status in Poland for his role in inspiring his native country to stand up to communist rule.
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, center, celebrates the opening Mass for the World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
Inviting Polish people to “look with hope to the future”, the pope said the memory of their thousand-year history would create a climate of respect that fosters a better life for future generations.
“I want to be close to you”, Francis said.
Paul Jarzembowski, the World Youth Day USA national coordinator, told Vatican Radio more US pilgrims were going to this World Youth Day than to any other held outside North America particularly because they related to Francis’ compassion.
In his speech, the Pope noted how the trip marks his first visit to central-eastern Europe, and that he is “happy to begin with Poland, the homeland of the unforgettable Saint John Paul II, originator and promoter of the World Youth Days”.
The Vatican appears to have toned down criticism of Polish politicians’ views of migrants ahead of a Papal visit.
Pope Francis spoke with the Polish diplomates in Krakow’s Wawel Castel immediately after landing in the city’s John Paul II International Airport.
Many of the Poland’s bishops are “at odds with the direction of his papacy”, particularly Francis’s push to open church doors to traditional “sinners” such as single mothers and remarried divorced people.
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Flag-waving crowds of youngsters nonetheless turned out in force to cheer on the pope as he sped to the Wawel Royal Castle in his open-top popemobile, defying security fears.
