RELIGIE, SFINȚI ȘI POLITICĂ. VIZITA PAPEI IOAN PAUL AL II-LEA ÎN POLONIA, ÎN 1983
RELIGION, SAINTS AND POLITICS. POPE JOHN PAUL II'S VISIT IN POLAND IN 1983

Summary/Abstract: The second visit to Poland as Pope John Paul II was scheduled to take place in August 1982, to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the inauguration of the Pauline monastery at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, where the highly venerated icon of the Black Madonna is located. The political climate and the insistence of communist authorities postponed the visit by a year, until June 1983. John Paul II visited his native Poland as a pilgrim at the sacred altars of popular religiosity, as a shepherd for the Polish faithful, and as a political tactician in relation to communist authorities. This article attempts to highlight how the Sovereign Pontiff used religious celebrations,the beatification of certain blessed individuals, and the invocation of saints in numerous sermons and speeches to convey a message not only to the believers but also to the authorities. In dramatic moments for communist Poland, the Holy Father's message was one of encouragement and hope for the Polish people and, at the same time, a disconcerting one for the authorities. Addressing themes such as the history of Poland, national sovereignty, relations with neighbors, freedom, human rights, and social justice, the Pope exerted pressure on an already embattled and solution deprived communist regime.

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