On Sunday, October 19, the National Papal March takes place in Warsaw. This is the third edition of the event, which pays tribute to St. John Paul II and serves as a reminder of the values on which Christian civilization is founded. This year, the March also coincides with the 41st anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko.
“We are marching because we want to remind everyone of the rich teaching on the value and sanctity of life, which is very much needed today – perhaps even more than during the pontificate of John Paul II,” said Paweł Ozdoba, co-organizer of the event, in an interview with Family News Service.
The Papal March began with Holy Mass at 1:00 p.m. in the Basilica of the Holy Cross on Krakowskie Przedmieście. After the liturgy, participants set out toward Castle Square. As the organizer emphasized, this is not only a religious event but also a public testimony of faith.
The National Papal March was held for the first time three years ago. “At that time, Poles were mobilized by the massive wave of hate directed at John Paul II. We could not agree to let that narrative, which harms Catholics in Poland and tarnishes the name of John Paul II, prevail,” Ozdoba recalled. The first march gathered around 70,000 participants who walked through the streets of Warsaw to defend the good name of the Polish Pope. A year later, the faithful gathered again to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, marching in prayer to his sanctuary in Żoliborz.
This year’s march once again combines the memory of St. John Paul II, Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, and Blessed Stefan Wyszyński.