Today marks 20 years since the death of the Polish pope, St. John Paul II. To honor the occasion, numerous cities are hosting commemorative events, including Masses, prayer vigils, concerts, film screenings, and conferences. In the pope’s hometown of Wadowice, a Mass and prayer vigil will be held, among other tributes.
Twenty years ago—on April 2, 2005, at 9:37 PM, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday—Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II, passed away in the Vatican at the age of 84. His pontificate lasted 26 years. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011, and canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.
“Where Are We 20 Years Later?”
“This year’s anniversary is a good moment for self-examination and to honestly ask: Is John Paul II just a photo and a cream puff (kremówka), or something more? What remains of the great vision of his generation? Where are we now after these 20 years?” said Archbishop Adrian Galbas, Metropolitan of Warsaw.
He emphasized that “we should return to the pope’s teachings—even those that may sometimes be difficult or even painful for us.”
“John Paul II was not a ‘flatterer’ but always a demanding, sometimes even strict, teacher and mentor,” he added.
The archbishop noted that “Wojtyła’s language—his sharp metaphors, profound imagery, and clear sentences—can still resonate with young people today, but they are too rarely revisited.”
Meanwhile, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, head of the Polish Bishops’ Conference (KEP), stated that John Paul II’s pontificate “left traces of holiness, goodness, truth, honesty, and everything humanity deeply needs to fulfill its human and Christian calling.”
Warsaw
In the capital, central commemorations include a Mass at St. John the Baptist Archcathedral, followed by a concert of the oratorio 14 Encyclicals at 7 PM, performed by the Warsaw Choir and Orchestra of St. John Paul II under Zofia Borkowska’s direction. The piece draws from diverse musical traditions—Gregorian chant, Orthodox hymns, jazz, and pop—reflecting the universality of the Polish pope’s theological message.
The anniversary also launches the year-long series “Duc in Altum – Put Out into the Deep,” featuring lectures and concerts exploring John Paul II’s spiritual legacy.
At St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian Cathedral, the John Paul II Center Choir will perform “Astonished by the Light,” preceded by a Mass led by Bishop Romuald Kamiński. An exhibition, “Karol Wojtyła – Inspirations,” will also be displayed.
The John Paul II Center has initiated the social campaign “See the Person,” addressing judgment and stereotypes, reminding society of each individual’s inherent dignity.
Kraków
In the Archdiocese of Kraków, the main ceremonies, led by Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, will take place at the St. John Paul II Sanctuary. After a 5 PM Mass, a conference titled “Hope Does Not Disappoint” will be held, followed by an Academic Way of the Cross at 8:30 PM.
Wadowice
In the pope’s birthplace, Bishop Sławomir Oder—postulator for John Paul II’s sainthood—will celebrate a noon Mass at the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An evening vigil will include a procession to his family home, where the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 9:37 PM.
Two exhibitions are on display: an outdoor photo exhibit “I Sought You, and Now You Have Come to Me” (AFP) and Grzegorz Gałązka’s intimate photographs of the pope’s final months. At 9:37 PM, the film “21.37” (dir. Mariusz Pilis) will screen, capturing Poland’s profound mourning in 2005.
Poland and Abroad
In Białystok, the University Chamber Choir will premiere Requiem Trotta after a Mass led by Archbishop Józef Guzdek. Szczecin will host a prayer vigil at John Paul II’s Jasne Błonia Square, while Gdańsk’s Oliwa Archcathedral will feature Mozart’s Requiem interspersed with the pope’s writings.
In Rome, Archbishop Wojda will lead a vigil at St. Peter’s Square, with multilingual Scripture readings and a choir performance.