The Polish Catholic Church is praying for Benedict XVI to visit the country in 2015.
His potential visit, the second to the home country of his predecessor John Paul II following his 2006 trip, would serve a dual purpose.
The Archdiocese of Krakow has asked for World Youth Day 2015 to be held in Poland and for the Archdiocese of Poznań, the oldest in the Country, to welcome the Pope for the celebration of the 1050th anniversary of Poland’s so-called Baptism which took place in 966.
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz has already spoken about the World Youth Day.
The Archbishop of Poznań, Stanisław Gądeck for his part, underlined that 50 years ago, Poland’s communist authorities at the time did not allow Pope Paul VI into the Country for the celebrations of the Millenium of Christianity.
So as not to tire Benedict XVI too much, Mgr. Gądecki said he would be happy just to welcome him for the beginning of the anniversary during World Youth Day in Krakow.
Next March the Polish Episcopal Conference should formalise its invitation to the Pope.
After this and having consulted with the Nuncio in Warsaw, the President of the Polish Republic, Bronisław Komorowski, will send a formal invitation to the Vatican.
The Archbishop of Poznań arranged for the invitation to reach the Pope last year after consultations with bishops but not with the head of the State.