It was the first time he has ever set foot in Eastern Europe; Francis’ predecessor Pope John Paul II was beloved in Poland.
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You gotta feel for Pope Francis – he went down hard in the middle of Mass Thursday morning in Poland.
“Our minds turn to so many sons and daughters of your own people, like the martyrs who made the defenseless power of the Gospel shine forth, like those ordinary yet remarkable people who bore witness to the Lord’s love amid great trials”, Francis said in his homily, speaking in Italian and pausing for a priest to translate his words into Polish.
Pope Francis waves after leaving Jasna Gory monastery, Poland’s holiest shrine.
The hospital declined to give any details, including whether the newborn might have been named the Polish equivalent of Frances, the feminine version of Francis.
Among the joyful was Alyson Radford, 27, of Steubenville, Ohio. She says “I feel so blessed to be where the pope is”. We should not be afraid to speak this truth.
Later, Church organisers said about 500,000 young people had joined the Pope for an evening rally, where he heard music from around the world.
As archbishop of Buenos Aires in his native Argentina, he rode public transport to inspire humility among church hierarchy.
The tram was decorated in the Vatican colors of yellow and white.
Relics of St. Mary Magdalene came to the St. Casimir Church from France for the duration of World Youth Day, and were displayed in a case by the altar.
Noting that many Poles have also emigrated from their country, Francis spoke of the need to facilitate their return of any hope to repatriate, and understand the reasons that caused them to leave.
Francis then delivered a speech urging Polish authorities “to overcome fear” and show compassion to migrants.
On Thursday morning at the shrine city of Czestochowa, Francis prayed before Poland’s holiest icon – the Black Madonna of Jasna Gora – and said outdoor Mass for a congregation of tens of thousands, thanking Poles for holding on to their faith in hard times.
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Francis celebrated the open-air Mass Thursday for hundreds of thousands of faithful.
