1979
John Paul II's apostolic journey to Poland in 1979 was the first official visit of the Pope to the country after his election as Bishop of Rome. It lasted from June 2 to 10 and included visits to Warsaw, Gniezno, Czestochowa, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Krakow and Nowy Targ, among other cities. The visit was of great significance for the Church in Poland and the country as a whole. At the time, John Paul II met with government officials, spoke to crowds on city streets and celebrated masses. His speeches to Poles contained messages of hope and solidarity and a call for freedom and moral renewal. The visit helped to strengthen the spirit of the nation and helped to begin the process of political change in the country.
1983
John Paul II made his second apostolic journey to Poland from June 16-23, 1983. The visit took place during the ongoing martial law in the country and was connected with the preparation of the Jubilee of the 600th anniversary of the presence of the Jasna Gora Image. Despite the lack of consent from the state authorities, the Church authorities decided to invite the Pope and conduct the visit in June 1983. During his stay, the Pope met with crowds of Poles and beatified three figures closely associated with the Roman Catholic Church in Poland. The motto of the trip was "Peace to You, Poland, My Homeland."
1987
John Paul II's third apostolic journey to Poland took place from June eighth to fourteenth, 1987, and its motto was "He loved them to the end." The pilgrimage was connected with the Second National Eucharistic Congress, which was taking place at the time. During this pilgrimage, the Pope visited many cities, meeting with various groups of people, from the clergy to the ordinary faithful. His speeches mainly focused on topics related to faith and love. Pope John Paul II used the trip as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of the Eucharist and its role in the life of a Christian. During his stay, the Pope beatified Blessed Karolina Kózkówna, who is considered a model of piety and obedience to God. This trip was an important event for the Church in Poland, as it contributed to the development of faith and spirituality, as well as the strengthening of the Church's position in the country.
1991
Pope Pole's fourth apostolic journey to Poland took place in 1991, with the slogan "Give thanks to God, do not extinguish the spirit." This pilgrimage was aimed at strengthening faith and spirituality in a country that had just undergone a political transformation and had broken with government-imposed atheism. Accordingly, his visit was also an expression of gratitude to God for the gifts and graces Poland has received. The pilgrimage lasted from the first to the ninth of June. John Paul II visited many cities during that time, including: Koszalin, Przemyśl, Wloclawek, Kielce and Lubaczow.
1995
John Paul II's next pilgrimage to Poland was a brief visit to the Bielsko-Żywiec diocese on May twenty-second, 1995, as part of his trip to the Czech Republic. At the time, the Pope visited cities in the Silesian province, including Skoczów and Bielsko-Biała. The pilgrimage was John Paul II's only unofficial trip to Poland, organized by the local government.
During this brief visit, John Paul II stressed the need to build consciences, a very important element necessary for the functioning of a democratic and heterogeneous society. At the time, the Holy Father also expressed his concern about the growing intolerance that was emerging in the age of democracy, and called for the promotion of respect and tolerance toward others. It was an important warning to Poles to remember that every person deserves respect and dignity, regardless of origin or beliefs.
1997
The pilgrimage, which lasted from May 31 to June 10, was connected with the 46th International Eucharistic Congress, which was held under the theme "Eucharist and Freedom." At the time, the Pope also participated in the European celebration of the millennium anniversary of the death of St. Adalbert in Gniezno, which was attended, in addition to him, by the presidents of seven countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In addition, the Polish Pope then took part in the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the Theological Faculty of Jagiellonian University.
1999
John Paul II's seventh apostolic journey took place from June five to June seventeen and was the pope's longest pilgrimage to Poland. Among the more significant events during the Pope's stay was his visit to the Sejm on June eleventh. In connection with John Paul II's visit, a commemorative plaque was later placed in the main hall of the Sejm. In addition to Warsaw, the Pope then managed to visit Sosnowiec, Torun and Gdansk, among others.
Year 2002
The last trip John Paul II made during his pontificate took place from August sixteenth to nineteenth, and was dedicated primarily to the dedication of the sacred complex in Krakow-Lagienniki, which is the resting place of the ashes of the saint of the Catholic Church, nun Faustina Kowalska.
