Pielgrzymki Jana Pawła II do Krakowa

John Paul II's pilgrimages to Kraków

Summary: The article describes seven pilgrimages made by John Paul II to his very own city of Kraków in 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1999, and 2002. They were the journeys of the Bishop of Rome who wanted to visit a part of the Church close to his heart as well as to strengthen the faith of the people by spreading the Good News of the Gospel as part of his pastoral mission and inspire them to live a more dynamic Christian life. The author briefly recalls the program of each visit and summarizes the most important message in the Pope's speeches and homilies. He relates the subject of each visit to the social situation in Poland at the time as well as underscores a number of symbolic gestures performed by the Pope.
Some of the standard features of the pilgrimages included celebrations of Mass and speeches on the Kraków Meadows - the largest religious gathering in this part of the world with over one million participants. Other events included Mass at the Wawel Castle Cathedral, meetings with the youth of Kraków, meetings with cultural leaders and scientists, as well as meetings with the sick and medical personnel. The Pope beatified and canonized a number of saints associated with the city of Kraków. A key event during the consecration of the Shrine of Divine Mercy in the Łagiewniki section of Kraków was a prayer for Divine Mercy for the entire world.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2009, z. 20, s. 121-134.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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