"POPE in Krakow 1 + VT-er's opinions" Top 5 Page for this destination Wadowice Travelogue by matcrazy1

Welcome to my travelogue - you can read some VT-er opinions below next pics. I'd like to say thank you to all my VT Friends who agreed to be quoted in this travelogue.

Pope John Paul II visited his homeland in 1999 and after an exhausting tour of the country, was taken ill during his visit to Krakow and was unable to perform the planned mass on the Blonia Meadows where 2,000,000 people were awaiting him (in the pouring rain). And he came again to Krakow airport in August 2002 by this plane on my picture.

ALITALIA PLANE WITH POPE ONBOARD

On this visit to Poland he visited Krakow and nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sanctuary; his itinerary for the 4-day visit was a mix of official and very personal duties. He flew over Wadowice when locals made lively greetings for him (from people standing in the main square) seen from the air.

ALITALIA PLANE WITH POPE ONBOARD

Given his age and health, many people believed this was his last opportunity to visit his home and the deeply personal part of his itinerary seemed to reflect this belief.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

"I don't believe or follow any religion. The intentions of the pope are for sure good, but his ideas are sometimes not matching anymore to the present world.
> That is my opinion, about the pope." - from Antwerp in Netherlands.

WELCOME PAPA

As an American, one of my favorite quotes from John Paul II is, "Freedom is not simply the absence of tyranny or oppression . . . nor is freedom a license to do whatever we like . . . Freedom is ordered to the truth, and is fulfilled in man's quest for the truth and living in the truth." - - from my friend Mark from Charlotte in North Carolina (USA)

PILGRIMES IN FOLKLORE COSTUMES

"I was born as Muslim and have nothing to do with any blind-love to religions, but I liked it too, when he was in Egypt, specially in Sinai." - from Cairo in Egypt.

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YOUNG PILGRIMES

"How awesome it is to hear your enthusiasm! I get excited about people who have passion for this life's experiences. Obviously, this means very much to your country and I thank you for opening my eyes to this. Your picture is awesome! I can't wait for the ones to follow! Please fill me in on any special things that you encounter. - from New Orleans in Louisiana (USA)

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YOUNG PILGRIMES

"I'm not crazy about the Pope either but i'm sure I would be in the hoardes waving and cheering should he ever end up in my home town." - from Australia.

PILGRIMES

"Look far enough back into any countrys history and you will find stories of pilgrims ( their version of VT pages I guess). Yes, you are right to include pilgrimage under the heading of travel. What must it have been like to walk from London to Jerusalem on a Pilgrimage? Or from North Africa to Mecca? What an amazing experience that must have been. I am off to read your new page before I go to bed. Keep it updated please!!!!" - angelis from United Kingdom.

SOLDIERS AND PEOPLE

"Great work on the Pope travelogue, Maciek. I've read a lot about his days growing up in Poland. I am not a Catholic either, but I respect him a lot. All Poles should be very proud." - from my friend Mark from Charlotte in North Carolina (USA)

CROWDS

"Nice idea to chronicle the Pope's visit to his homeland. I'm not very religious either, but I do appreciate that this priest was kind to Jews during WWII which was quite brave at the time. Luckily, my family had left Poland long before this bad time in history." - from White Plains in NY (USA)

POPE WITH PRESIDENT OF POLAND AND HIS WIFE

"I think the Popes visit is very related to travel... not to mention culture. No worries. I just wish he was in better health." - from my friend Michael from Orlando in Florida (USA); Michael_D on VT.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

"Wow, that's cool that the pope is from your hometown! I knew he was Polish, but I didn't know from which town. I'm not Catholic, but I have a lot of respect for the man. He obviously has not been well for some time, and yet he's continued to tour the world visiting with Christians in many different countries, and even though he's frail, he maintains his dignity. I would think the Polish people are rightly proud of him." - from my friend Rachel from Grand Rapids in Michigan (USA); CubsIn4 on VT.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

"That's a great idea! A really innovative way to show us about Krakow!." - from my friend Joe from Bronx in NY (USA); dantes2 on VT.

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PAPA MOBILE

"while driving home from work I heard, on the radio, the Pope's greeting to those awaiting him at the airport. The crowd sounded ecstatic and he sounded, well, old. ;-)" - from San Rafael in California (USA).

PAPA MOBILE

"I'm sure the Polish people are thrilled to have the Pope back in his home country. I live in Toronto which is where he came for World Youth Day and the hysteria over his visit was enormous. I work in the media so was in the crowd when he arrived one of the days and the people around me were going nuts as he drove past us in his Popemobile. I'm not Catholic myself, but it was interesting to observe the reactions of the people around me. They truly were affected by his visit." - from Toronto in Canada.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

"I was very happy when this pope came along, and I wish he would be pope for another 40 years, but I don't think so..." - from Michael from Hawaii (USA), HawaiiGuy on VT.

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POLISH MARINES

"The Pope was also instrumental in encouraging Poles to stand up to Communism and defiantly support the Solidarity movement. You're old enough to remember what it was like in Poland during the Cold War." - from Nat from Richmond in Virginia (USA); b1bob on VT.

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POLISH TROOPS

"Excellent work; I look forward to your coverage." - from my friend Max from Fairborn in Ohio (USA); Anton_Ernst on VT.

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POLISH TROOPS

"I think you enjoyed the pope's visit very much, reading from your email. Please don't be offended by my next remark, but I always thought that all Polish people are very religious according the rules from the pope? So, to me it's very refreshing to hear that you are not. I have to admit I'm a true anti-religious person. The only thing I have with churches are their beautiful glass stained windows I'm affraid :) Sorry!" -from Netherlands.

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PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE

Mr Alexander Kwasniewski - the President of Poland and his wife.

PRESIDENT OF POLAND

"You know Belgium once had a pope too: Pope Adrian VI, who had be professor at the University of Leuven. He founded the Pope's college at Leuven in 1523.
He got murdered, well lets say he died an unnatural deadmore" - from Belgium.

POPEMOBILE

The Popemobile on the streets of Krakow.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

The Pope im the window of Archbishop Palace at Franciszkanska Street (5 min. walk from the Main Square).

KRAKOW - PANORAMIC VIEW

Lagievniki is the district of Krakow located south of the Old Town and south of the Vistula River.

PAPAL CAVALCADE

Pope arriving by Popemobile to Lagievniki sanctuary (south of Vistula Rover) from Archbishop Palace located near the Main Square (just before 10am CET Saturday).

PAPAL CAVALCADE

"A great event to be sure..but I think that money could be better spent on feeding the starving people of our planet..seems a more "right" thing to do!" - from California (USA).

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PAPAL CAVALCADE

"If you know, he was in Bulgaria.I like him very much. He is great man!!!!! I watched almost everything on TV, doesn't matter that I'm orthodox." - from my friend Antonia from Bulgaria (bgjulieta on VT).

PAPAL CAVALCADE

"I am thrilled that you have covered the Pope on your pages. I'll be checking everything you enter. Good for you. He has been such an amazing representative of Poland....support which could never have been gained in any other way.....I have always been in awe of him as a man, as a Pope and as a Pole. God bless." - from my friend Janet from Rhode Island in the USA (Pawtuxet on VT).

POPEMOBILE

"The Pope is important to me, I guess, as I was baptised a Catholic. Whatever said and done, he has done really good work and offered guidance and strength to millions in today's troubled times. It is indeed a pleasant surprise that you made a lovely t-log on his journey home.." - from Malaysia.

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POPE JOHN PAUL II

"I think, that the Pope is responsible for much pain and poverty in this world, as he prevents people from using condoms, which causes AIDS and too many children in overpopulated countries. I feel pity for this old and sick man, that he is not able to retire and live the last years of his live in peace in a nice place somewhere." - from Germany.

POPEMOBILE

"I pray that John Paul decides to stay in your beautiful country for the remainder of his days. This man deserves this I believe, but he may feel that he is still needed elsewhere." - from New Albany in Indiana (USA).

PAPAL PLANE

These pics are mainly captured from Polish Television TVP1 or TVP2 (hope they will forgive me :-).
The Pope John Paul II arrived by Alitalia plane from Rome to Balice Airport in Krakow on 16th August 2002 at 6.30pm CET (5.30 GMT; 0.30 ET).

POPEMOBILE

"Hi and I just looked at your photos of the Pope arriving. We saw him on the television news this evening and he seemed so tired. It is wonderful that he is visiting his homeland once more. I am not catholic but he is pretty amazing how he just seems to keep going." - from my friend Margaret from Netherlands (margaretvn on VT).

Look at modern architecture of new Lagievniki Sanctuary - new place to visit in Krakow. It stands on the hill and the tower is now the highest point in Krakow's skyline. I don't know wheather is it possible to climb the tower to enjoy amazing views, must check it.%f*%s*%c*

"The Pope is on the news lots in USA saying he is visiting his city......he is there now?" - from my friend Kathy from Dallas in Texas (USA); Kodi01 on VT.

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"You may find it of interest to know...that the 7 a.m. news yesterday, lead story was welcoming home Der Pabst, complete with singing from a cathedral in Krakow. It was quite beautiful and refreshing. And now, Sunday morning at 07:10, Chopin's Ballade No. 1 is playing -- I used to play this, but not as well as Cecile Licad is doing right now... Oh, there is SO MUCH good Chopin!" - from my friend Michael from Hawaii (USA), HawaiiGuy on VT.

Americans from the Midwest (Chicago) with Polish roots welcome Pope.

"I was watching his visit tonight on TV. But it is sad about John Paul's condition. They showed a picture of him on his first visit back after becoming Pope. He MUST be happy today to be on home soil again." - from New Albany in Indiana (USA).

"Yes, it's VERY VERY NICE for you and all Poland people that the Pope John Paul II visits in. Japanese media broadcast this news many times. I am not Christianity ( or Protestant ) but LOVE him so much.
I wonder , "Is there any person in this world who are not attracted by him? " He is the special being to send LOVE & PEACE to the world." - from my friend Hiroko from Kyoto in Japan (HIROKO333 on VT)

"I can immagine how important is this pilgrimage for Poland (maybe his last one...). I've seen some images in TV and I was surprised to see so many people in that enormous place!" - from my friend Maxi from Milan in Italy (Maxi1971 on VT).

"What a great job you are doing. Your page dedicated to the Pope is a real great one. You must have been spending the whole day doing this. Gathering and assembling those nice pictures to a GREAT report.
Thanks for it. Go on like that !" - from my friend Gini from Belgium (cadzand on VT).

"Well we just had the world youth day with the pope in Toronto.He very rarely comes to Canada. Anyway I know it means a lot to Poland seeking an identity while you were dominated by Russia." - from my friend Robert from Canada (MURRA on VT).

It is now estimated that 3,000,000 people came into Krakow during this visit. All cars were banned from driving into the city from 16 till 19 August, and the sale of alcohol had also been prohibited from midnight 14 August until 7pm 19 August. So if you ever plan to visit Krakow during pope's visits, be prepared for crowds and coffee/coke only.

"I think this Pope John Paul II is travel related, since he's a famous ones. Yeah, I have a different religion, but I like him as a friendly one :)."
- from my friend Rr.Ukirsari Manggalani from Jakarta in Indonesia (ukirsari on VT).

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"I must admitt that pope is travel related as travel addict, so old, so sick and still none can stop him to go, wish I could travel the half of what he does when I am old like him." - Corra from Ancona in Italy (xaver on VT).

"just revisited your Pope in Krakow travelogue again, you really did a fantastic job - great reportage! I wonder who footed the bill and how much it cost. I also found it interesting, when looking at the photos, most of the security people have their heads turned toward the Pope, to see him, rather than watching the crowd where the supposed threat is coming from -;)) Again, you built a great travelogue!" - from my friend RW from the Earth :-))).

"Does the Pope know how much you are doing to promote his visit ;-) I have just looked at you page again, really good idea to include the comments of other VTers, interesting to see other peoples opinions on him and on religion in general!" - from my friend angelis from United Kingdom.

"I read in the paper today about the Pope visiting Krakow and it reminded me to look at your pages. You've done alot of work! It's truly amazing how much you have included and you are probably still working on it. It must be very exciting to actually be there in Krakow for all of this. I must say, I'm not Catholic in any sense, but I think I would still go out to see the Pope. Keep up the good work!" - from my friend Andrea from Chicago in Illinois (USA); jozwitch on VT.

"Your coverage on the visit of the Pope to Poland is awesome! What a wonderful view from the inside as how a person from Poland sees it! I loved your "faces" travelogue as I am facinated by the expressions and faces of different cultures. Wonderful job! What a awesome tribute to such a great man who has done so much for the people of the world! " - from my friend Dave from Kansas City in Missouri (USA); shdw100 on VT.

"It was really great of the Pope to visit Poland again.I consider the visit very important to you and I´m sure to the whole nation. It´s a big honour to have a person from your country to run Vatikan and be the head and shoulders of it all. I liked the pics that you had on your page and think they are great. Most of the people can´t do so much work with soo short time, so I have to praise you and say that you made a very good cover of the visit." - from my friend Kristiina from Estonia (kristii on VT).

"Mat, your new page is absolutely great :) I like the fact that you've traced his journey for a couple of days, so that ppl who don't know much about the Pope or the Vatican (like moi) could get interested enough to look into it...I only know as much about this topic from the movies like Evita or my favorite: The Godfather :)!" - from my friend Dina from Montreal in Canada (sand.storm on VT).

"I guess you feel about the Pope as I feel about Mecca. The pilgramage that Muslims do once a year, in Mecca (Saudi) is beyond any convention in the world, so i've heard. There's a nice quote from a man who said: "You will never feel the power of being a Muslim, until you've done the Hajj!"(Hajj is pilgrimage in arabic)" - from my friend Dina from Montreal in Canada (sand.storm on VT)

"The Pope is a guy that moves a lot! He was in Toronto just a couple of weeks ago, you know for the Youth Day! Montreal was FILLED with tourists the week before that, i loved it...They outnumbered the Montrealers lolol! Even though I'm not of the Christian religion (i'm a Muslim), I would have loved to attend that youth conference...Imagine, young and old from aaaaaall over the world, coming to meet!" - from my friend Dina from Montreal in Canada (sand.storm on VT)

WELCOME HOME PAPA!

"ABSOLUTELY THE BEST PAGE I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!! Touching and u r lucky that your city is his hometown... Loved it!" from my friend Kathy from Dallas in Texas (USA) - Kodi01 on VT.

"I'm not Catholic, but the current Pope is one of the truly upstanding and well grounded leaders in the world. I know that his main task is to prepare for the world after this one, but he does a magnificent job of trying to make sure this one has the right direction as well. It is just a shame to see him in this frail of a health. For his sake, I would like to see a new Pope elected and let him live the rest of his life out of the pressures that being the Pope entails." - from my friend Chris from Atlanta in Georgia (USA); balfor on VT.

"I remember how exiting it was to have pope in the Israel. He left a lot of people with good feeling about the catholic church, and the christians generely (beside we found out how lot of jewish friends he had)!" - from my friend Raviv from Israel (raviv_ta on VT).

"I can understand others' feelings. It is a big event for those who really believe in the god. It was just like the Queen Mom's funeral in London I ran into: I was neither pro or against the royal stuff (never grew up in the atmosphere that I have to worry about it), but was 'touched' by the whole atmosphere/public there." - from my friend Mei from North Carolina (USA); FreeCloud on VT."

"Did you get to see the pope he's amazing all those launguges he speaks. I saw him once in the Vatican in Rome he came out and gave a full mass, with cardinals and all sorts there, it was amazing. He was wonderful." - from my friend Sally from London in United Kingdom (Linky_Pinky on VT).

"John Paul II is easily one of the greatest and most humble men alive today. If we could all be like him, the worlds problems would be solved instantly!" - from my friend Wayne from New Jersey (USA) - ferdnbean on VT.

"John Paul II is easily one of the greatest and most humble men alive today. If we could all be like him, the worlds problems would be solved instantly!" - from my friend Wayne from New Jersey (USA) - ferdnbean on VT.

"The Pope is very dear to me. I saw him last in Philippines during World Youth Day and when we were in Rome 2 years ago, it was a pity that we missed seeing him... You've captured his entire trip to Poland, where he's definitely the pride of your country! :P I enjoyed greatly the pictures!" - from my friend Francesca from Singapore (volarevolare on VT).

"I heard that John Paul II is not feeling well and he had to cancel the rest of his trip. I'm sure his presence already blessed his people :)" - from my friend Zsuzsa from Hungary (littlebear on VT).

"Yes, I understand that for you it's a sentimental issue to have the pope coming from the same country and even the same city as yourself." - from my friend Anna from Helsinki in Finland (Abanababana on VT).

"I remember when the Pope visited Edmonton in 1984. One member of the press mentioned the Popes fondness of fishing, and then suggested a short fishing trip to a local lake near my place. The particular Lake is called Devil's Lake!" - from Edmonton in Canada.

The Pope had meeting with people of science, culture and art in front of the Library of the Pope's Academy of Theology - another new example of modern architecture in Krakow.

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"While I'm not a Roman Catholic and haven't been to any church in a long time, I've always admired Pope John Paul II. I always considered him one of the great world leaders. I felt much better when the free world leaders were President Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II, but I'll try to avoid getting further into politics. I can imagine that his visit is an emotional time for you. I hope the best blessings for you." - from my friend Bill from Gonzales in Louisiana (USA) - WFTR on VT.

Pope had short meeting with Mr Alexander Kwasniewski, the President of Poland and his wife in Archbishop Palace at Franciszkanska Street.

The Pope in the window of Archbishop Palace at Franciszkanska Street (5 min. walk from the Main Square).

"That is really wonderful he is able to return to his homeland, as he has recently been very tired and showing his age, Poor Pope John Paul II" - from Christchurch in New Zealand.