The President of Poland has held office for ten years now. His term ends in August, and he wanted his final official visit as Head of State to be to the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV received him at the Apostolic Palace.
Andrzej Duda said after the meeting that, for him, it was a farewell visit. He also announced that he had invited the Pope to travel to Poland and expressed confidence that his successor would extend the same invitation once in office.
During the traditional exchange of gifts, the President gave the Pope a book about Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński.
Pope Leo has already spoken about Wyszyński during the general audience on May 28:
Pope LEO XIV
Today we remember Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, your 'Primate of the Millennium,' who, during the persecution of the Church in Poland, remained a faithful shepherd of Christ despite his imprisonment. With sacrifice and dialogue, he worked for the unity of the Church and society. May his witness be a source of inspiration for you in your concern for the Church and for your homeland.
This cardinal was a close friend and mentor to Pope Saint John Paul II. In Poland, he is also regarded as a hero for his strong resistance to communism.
CA
Trans. CRT
