Karol Nawrocki, President of the Republic of Poland, took part in the 18th National Patriotic Pilgrimage of Football Supporters held at Jasna Góra, one of the country’s most important religious sites. The annual event, conducted under the motto “We Praise You, O God”, brought together supporters’ groups from across Poland for a day combining religious devotion with expressions of patriotism.
The central point of the pilgrimage was a solemn Holy Mass celebrated in the Chapel of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Częstochowa. President Nawrocki joined hundreds of participants in the liturgy, which traditionally forms the spiritual core of the gathering.
Before the religious ceremonies, the President laid a wreath at the Smolensk Epitaph located at the entrance to the chapel. The gesture commemorated the victims of the Smolensk air disaster of 10 April 2010 and coincided with the monthly anniversary marking the tragedy. The act underscored the pilgrimage’s emphasis on remembrance and national solidarity alongside faith.
From Stands to Sanctuary: A Tradition Uniting Football Supporters, Faith, and Patriotism Since 2009
The pilgrimage of football supporters to Jasna Góra has been held annually since its inception in 2009. Over the years, it has evolved into a well-established tradition that links fan communities with religious practice and civic memory.
The event is organized by Father Dr. habil. Jarosław Wąsowicz, chaplain to the President of the Republic of Poland. A Salesian priest, historian, and archivist, Father Wąsowicz has long been active in patriotic and social initiatives and is also known as a supporter of Lechia Gdańsk. His role has been central in shaping the pilgrimage as a recurring forum where sport, faith, and national identity intersect.