Exactly 21 years ago, on April 2, 2005, at 21:37 p.m., John Paul II left the apartments of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Karol Wojtyła, Pope Pole, who forever changed the face of the Church and history of the 20th century, died after a long illness, surrounded by the prayer of millions of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square. His last words were, "Let me go to my Father's house." That evening the world died, and the bells in the churches all over the globe mourned.
John Paul II sat on the throne of Peter for 26 years and 5 months – one of the longest pontificates in history. He was elected on October 16, 1978, as the first Pope not from Italy in 455 years. His very appearance on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica was a sign of hope. "Do not be afraid!" he cried to the world. These words became the motto of his entire pontificate and a signpost for millions of people, especially in countries behind the Iron Curtain.
For Poland he was not only a spiritual leader, but also a advocate of freedom. His first pilgrimage to his homeland in June 1979 became a spark that ignited the Solidarity movement. "It is impossible to understand the history of Poland without Christ," he said in Gniezno. Two years later, after the assassination of his life in St Peter's Square on 13 May 1981, he forgave the assassin and continued to fight for human dignity. Many historians believe that without John Paul II, the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe would look completely different.
His pontificate is also a huge openness to the world. He visited 129 countries, met with religious leaders of all religions, apologized for the Church's faults, and encouraged young people to be courageous. The World Youth Days that he started are still gathering hundreds of thousands of people. Despite a severe illness – Parkinson’s, which gradually took his strength away – did not give up his ministry. He kept saying, "All my pontificate is thanksgiving."
After his death, he was buried in a grave in the basement of St Peter's Basilica. In 2014, Pope Francis canonized him with Saint John XXIII. Today his relics – a vial of blood and a piece of sutanna – are scattered all over the world. The tomb of the Pope after the beatification was transferred to St Peter's Basilica and is available to believers from all over the world. In Poland, almost every parish has a memorial or plaque commemorating "our pope". In Wadowice, Krakow and Rome pilgrims continue to come to thank for the life that became the bridge between East and West.
21 years later, the question is not only "as we mention him," but "do we still listen to him." At a time when the world is struggling with divisions, wars and crisis of faith, John Paul II's words about human dignity, family and solidarity sound uniquely today. In the Vatican, Warsaw, Krakow, Wadowice and hundreds of other cities are lit today. The bells are beating again at 9:37. And even though it's been so many years, we still feel that this great man has not gone forever. He lives in anyone who dares not to be afraid.
