John Paul II at Okęcie

Pope John Paul II started his four visits to the Fatherland and concluded two of them in the area of today’s Frederic Chopin Airport.

On 2 June 1979 at 10.07 am the Pope was welcomed by the Primate of Poland, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. This was his first pilgrimage to the Homeland after his election as Pope. After leaving the plane, the Holy Father knelt down and kissed the earth. The second time the Holy Father landed at Okęcie on 16 June 1983, in the difficult period following the proclamation of martial law in Poland. Four years later, on 8 June 1987, he set out on his third pilgrimage starting from Warsaw again. Also in 1991 the Pope concluded his apostolic journey in Warsaw. On June 9 John Paul II was bid goodbye by, among others, President Lech Wałęsa. The Pope said: "Give thanks to God... Do not lose the spirit.Ł

Last time John Paul II was welcomed at Warsaw Airport on 10 June 1999.

sk, PAP//mam