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Catholic World News News Feature

Benedict XVI makes late appearance at "pope's window" in Krakow May 27, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI followed the pattern set by his predecessor on Friday night, making an appearance at the window of the archbishop's palace in Krakow to greet thousands of people gathered outside.

During his first trip back to his native land as Pontiff, in June 1979, John Paul II appeared at the same window to speak with his countrymen, joining them in song before finally retiring for the night. He continued the same practice on subsequent trips, making his last appearance in August 2002. Since the death of the Polish Pope last April, the "pope's window" had remained closed until the visit by Pope Benedict.

Greeted by warm applause and chants of "Benedetto," the new Pope said that he was aware of the many Polish Catholics who gather beneath the "pope's window" on the 2nd day of every month, at the hour when John Paul died, to pray for is prompt beatification. Pope Benedict said that he joined them in those prayers.

The Holy Father smiled broadly as he spoke to the Krakow crowd, opening his arms wide in a gesture of greeting as he heard the first thunderous applause on his appearance. The Pope had been greeted warmly when he arrived in Krakow, with thousands of people lining the streets, waving the papal colors, as his motorcade passed.

On his final visit to Poland in August 2000, Pope John Paul II had been obviously bemused by the noisy crowd that gathered around the archbishop's residence in Krakow, demanding a late-night appearance. The late Pope finally came to the window with a wry smile on his face, bantered for a few minutes, and finally dismissed the crowd with a promise, "I'll see you tomorrow."