Around ten thousand people joined Krakow’s White March on Sunday to mark the 18th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s passing. The procession moved from Błonia to the Market Square, where a brief service at St. Mary’s Church reflected on the pontificate of Karol Wojtyła.
The crowd’s size caused a slight delay in the mass at the basilica. Police confirmed that roughly 10,000 participants were part of the White March. The moment underscored a shared moment of remembrance for many Cracovians.
Participants spoke of unity and memory. In this solemn setting, prayers were offered at the Marian altar, inviting all Cracow residents to carry the memory of the Pope forward to younger generations.
Fr. Dariusz Raś, pastor of St. Mary’s parish, expressed the community spirit of the gathering.
The sermon was delivered by Fr. Bronisław Fidelus, a former pastor of the same parish and a longtime ally of Karol Wojtyła during his Cracow ministry. Fidelus recalled the White March of 1981 following the Pope’s assassination attempt and remarked that history again faced a test of the saint’s reputation and holiness.
The Pope’s daily holiness shone through his prayer life at the Cracow episcopal palace, during pilgrimages, and along the Way of the Cross. His empathy for others, commitment to justice and freedom, and deep love for human life and his homeland were highlighted by Fidelus.
He called on the faithful to invite Saint John Paul II to stay with them in spirit and to remember those who criticized him.
Organizers of the Sunday White March included the Knights of John Paul II, Rosary Congregations, and Lesser Poland Solidarity. They described the event as both a remembrance and a defense of Wojtyła’s legacy. Fragments of Wojtyła’s homilies addressing Poland during communist times were shared during the march, and participants prayed the rosary. The event drew attendees from political circles associated with right-wing and anti-communist movements, including representatives linked to the Solidarity movement.
Honorary patrons of the event included Wanda Półtawska, a longtime admirer of John Paul II and a former prisoner of Ravensbrück. The route mirrored the historic path taken after the 1981 assassination attempt, moving from Błonia through Aleja 3 Maja, Aleja Mickiewicza, and along Karmelicka and Szewska streets to the Main Market Square.
Evening plans included a moment of reflection with flowers placed near the John Paul II monument at the metropolitan curia on Franciszkańska Street, followed by a vigil beneath the pope’s window.
That same Sunday, another parade took place in Krakow, organized by MEP Patryk Jaki. Police estimated around 2,500 participants. The route extended from the Church of St. Florian to Floriańska Street and the main square near Franciszkańska Street, concluding under the papal window.
Across Poland, thanksgiving marches commemorating John Paul II’s pontificate occur on Sundays. The Holy Father died on April 2, 2005, in Vatican City, just shy of his 85th birthday. He is remembered as the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and a steadfast advocate for faith and human dignity.
“We will not deny our faith”
The Krakow march, despite the wet weather, drew thousands of believers who reaffirmed their faith and sense of national identity. The message echoed through social media as participants shared their resolve to uphold their beliefs publicly.
Additional reading and related coverage highlight ongoing reflections on Wojtyła’s impact, including the wider national conversations about faith, heritage, and the pope’s role in Poland’s 20th-century history. Various voices emphasized the enduring influence of his teachings on values, culture, and civic life.
Source reporting reflects ongoing discussions about the pope’s legacy and its reach across communities and generations.