Pope drops plan to speak at Auschwitz; will offer silent prayer

June 30, 2016

Pope Francis has decided not to deliver a public address when he visits Auschwitz death camp. 

The Pope will visit the Nazi death camp on July 29, during a trip to Poland for World Youth Day. His original schedule, released by the Vatican earlier this month, had called for him to give a speech there, as his predecessors had done.

However, Pope Francis has chosen "to go to that place of horror without speeches, without crowds." He will pray silently, he said, "And may the Lord give me the grace to cry."

The Pope reminded reporters that during a visit to northern Italy in 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of World War I, he had also declined to give a public address. 

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis says he will pray, not speak, at Auschwitz (Catholic Herald)
• Pope Francis to visit Kraków, Auschwitz, Czestochowa during trip to Poland (CWN, 6/9)