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Catholic World News News Feature

Pope visits predecessor's hometown May 27, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI visited the boyhood home of Pope John Paul II on May 27, and said that he is praying for the prompt beatification of his predecessor.

After spending the night in the Krakow archbishop's residence, the Pope traveled to the town of Wadowice. There he stoped to pray at the basilica of the Immaculate Conception, where Karol Wojtyla was baptized, before visiting the late Pontiff's boyhood home, which is now a museum.

At a meeting in the town's square, the Pope spoke of his predecessor and "the radicalism of his Christian life and the desire for sanctity" that marked his apostolic work. Another key characteristic of the late Pope's spirituality, he said, was his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. In the same spirit, Pope Benedict said, "I ask that Our Lady watch over the Church which by the will of God has been entrusted to me to guide." He closed with an appearl to the people for their prayers, too.

At midday the Pope traveled on to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the shrine where the young Karol Wojtyla frequently came to pray. There he repeated his plea for prayers, noting that the late Pope had made the same request. Speaking of the late Pontiff, he again said: "I hope that Providence will soon grant us the beatification and canonization of our beloved Pope John Paul II."

Continuing his visits to shrines near Krakow, the Holy Father traveled next to the Divine Mercy shrine a Lagiewniki. There he delivered a message directed at the sick, who are "united to the Coross of Christ, but at the same time the most eloquent witnesses to the mercy of God." He encouraged them to put their suffering "in the sure hands of God," certain of his fatherly help.

At the Lagiewniki shrine, dedicated by Pope John Paul during his visit in 2002, Pope Benedict paused to pray before the relics of St. Faustina Kowalska, who brought the Divine Mercy devotion to the Catholic world. Next he spent some time in silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament before addressing the sick.