Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of His Passing at the Vatican
Zbigniew Gretka, IHRC Peace Ambassador for Religious Affairs, in Attendance
VATICAN CITY – April 2, A.D. 2025 – Jubilee Year
On the 20th anniversary of the passing of Saint John Paul II to the House of the Heavenly Father, solemn Vatican ceremonies were held with the personal participation of Zbigniew Gretka, Peace Ambassador of IHRC for Religious Affairs and President of the Association of Polish Authors.
The Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, representing Pope Francis, who was unable to attend due to illness. Concelebrating were Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, former secretary to Saint John Paul II, together with numerous cardinals, bishops, and priests from around the world.
The Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Peter’s Square were filled to capacity by the faithful from across the globe.
Among those present at the Mass were the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her devout Christian values, accompanied by her government delegation, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, including the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See, H.E. Adam Kwiatkowski.
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz warmly welcomed all participants and viewers with an emotional message, while Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivered a spiritually rich homily on the life, legacy, and eternal mission of Saint John Paul II, calling him a Great Apostle of Mercy and Patron of Families. He also emphasized the tremendous role of the Primate of Poland, Blessed Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, in the formation of John Paul II’s path.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the faithful joined in singing the beloved papal hymn “Barka”, with beautiful voices of highlanders from Podhale and Chicago echoing through the basilica.
Ambassador Zbigniew Gretka, known as the International Sower of the Pontificate of Saint John Paul II, laid beautiful white and red roses at the earthly tomb of the Saint in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, expressing heartfelt gratitude:
“For all the good that God in the Holy Trinity, through Saint John Paul II, brought to the world – together with the Mother of the Savior, to whom he entrusted his 27-year pontificate in the sign of the Cross bearing the motto Totus Tuus.”
Ambassador Gretka emphasized the Pope’s redemptive suffering, thanking him for being a global ecologist of the human soul, who bore pain to intercede for humanity’s sins.
During his visit, Ambassador Gretka also met with Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a dedicated disciple of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and a staunch defender of Poland’s proud history.
He also held a cordial meeting with Cardinal Dominik Duka, former Primate of the Czech Republic, who stated:
“A Pope like Saint John Paul II the Great appears once in a thousand years.”
Additionally, he met with Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, who affirmed:
“Thanks to Saint John Paul II, many Christians around the world found Christ and believed in the Savior.”
One of the highlights was a heartfelt encounter with the Polish-American community, accompanied by Father Krzysztof Wieliczko, Provincial of the Pauline Fathers in the USA, who invited Ambassador Gretka to deliver conferences on the sanctity of Saint John Paul II and Blessed Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński.
Further conversations took place with Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, and Archbishop Wacław Depo, Metropolitan of Częstochowa – both close friends of the late Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, former President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care and a faithful disciple of Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Ambassador Gretka, in his mission as the International Sower of the Pontificate, continues to travel through Poland, Europe, and the world, giving personal testimony to the holiness and enduring influence of Saint John Paul II – Apostle of Divine Mercy.
He also defends Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz against unjust attacks and slander, describing the accusations as fabricated defamations by manipulated figures unworthy of the Polish soil.
After the Holy Mass, Ambassador Gretka personally thanked Cardinal Dziwisz for his devoted 30-year service to Saint John Paul II, and for his swift decision to transport the Holy Father to the Gemelli Clinic on the fateful day of May 13, 1981, when Ali Agca attempted an assassination of the beloved Pope from Wadowice.
Ambassador Gretka is deeply convinced that Saint John Paul II will once again astonish the world, bringing about the miraculous healing of Pope Francis, so that he may continue to lead the Universal Church on its earthly pilgrimage toward Heaven.
Saint John Paul II the Great, pray for us.
Prepared by:
Zbigniew Gretka
IHRC Peace Ambassador for Religious Affairs
“Wow! Just thinking about that day with the Pope still gives me chills. Twenty years have flown by, it’s hard to believe. Such love people had for him, and it feels like that love still hangs in the air around the Vatican. When Cardinal Parolin was speaking about those times, it felt like time just stood still. And that Polish hymn, ‘Barka’… it really tugs at your heartstrings.
And Ambassador Gretka, he’s like a living witness to that era. Listening to his words, it feels as if the Pope is still with us. That bouquet of white and red roses… it seemed to convey so many unspoken emotions.
That heartfelt welcome from Cardinal Dziwisz, and Cardinal Dominik Duka’s saying – ‘A Pope like Saint John Paul II the Great appears once in a thousand years’ – it just rings true.
Hoping Pope Francis gets well soon. Surely John Paul’s blessings are with him.”