2016-07-28 09:28 update: 2018-09-27, 02:52
Kraków, 27.07.2016. Papież Franciszek, po przylocie na krakowskie lotnisko Balice, 27 bm. XXXI Światowe Dni Młodzieży połączone z pielgrzymką papieża Franciszka do Polski, potrwają do 31 lipca. (mr) Fot. PAP/Radek Pietruszka
"This is my first visit to Central Eastern Europe and I am happy to begin with Poland, the homeland of the unforgettable Saint John Paul II, originator and promoter of WYD," Pope Francis said shortly after arriving in Poland.
Pope Francis started his five-day pilgrimage to Poland on Wednesday afternoon. An Alitalia plane with the pope landed at Krakow's John Paul II International Airport where he was greeted, among others, by President Andrzej Duda and Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz.
After a brief greeting, the pope left the airport by car for a Krakow convent where he switched to a papa mobile to continue his ride to the Wawel Castle where he was officially welcomed by Polish state officials.
During the ride through Krakow streets, the pontiff was greeted by thousands of well-wishers, including pilgrims who came to Poland for World Youth Day.
En route from the airport to the castle, the pope was accompanied by Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz.
Welcoming the pontiff at the Wawel Castle, Polish President Andrzej Duda stressed that "the world needs values, faith, good, or in other words everything that Your Holiness is bringing with you."
Pope Francis in return, among others, said: "in the light of its thousand-year history, I invite the Polish nation to look with hope to the future and the issues before it. Such an approach will favour a climate of respect between all elements of society and constructive debate on differing positions. It will also create the best conditions for civil, economic and even demographic growth, fostering the hope of providing a good life for coming generations."
The ceremony was attended by top government and church officials as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
Following the meeting with state authorities, the pope held a private talk with the Polish president.
Next, the pontiff walked to the Wawel Cathedral where he met with some 130 Polish bishops. The gathering, held behind closed doors, was addressed by Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz and the head of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate, Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki.
During his pilgrimage to Poland, Pope Francis will take part in World Youth Day (WYD) ceremonies, visit the Jasna Gora shrine in Czestochowa and tour the grounds of the former Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. He will also visit several sanctuaries.
This is the pope's 15th foreign pilgrimage during his pontificate and his first ever visit to Poland.
While in Poland, the pope is expected to deliver six speeches and three homilies during Masses. (PAP)
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