Benedict XVI Has Left Poland

A plane with Benedict XVI on board took off from Cracow-Balice Airport at 9.48 pm on May 28. The Holy Father was taking leave to the accompaniment of singing and applause of thousands of faithful gathered on the airfield. The Pope thus concluded his apostolic visit to Poland.

The farewell ceremony was significantly delayed and started at 8.55. Prior to the ceremony the Pope met with President Kaczyński in private.

Benedict XVI came up to the plane in the Popemobile and was therefore able to bless a few thousand faithful waiting for him for a few hours in spite of inclement weather. Joszko Broda’s ensemble known as "Dzieci z Bodą" were performing for the Holy Father.

Waiting for the Pope on the airfield in sheets of rain were the President, the Prime Minster, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Speakers of both chambers of the Polish Parliament.

The orchestra of the guard of honour of the Polish Army played the national anthems of the Holy See and Poland. The Holy Father greeted the soldiers in Polish: "Czołem żołnierze!" [I salute you, soldiers]. The response of the soldiers: "Czołem Wasza Świątobliwość!" [We salute you, Your Holiness], was deafened by the enthusiastic applause of thousands of the faithful gathered on the airfield.

President Lech Kaczyński delivered a farewell address to the Holy Father on behalf of Poles. He extended his words of gratitude for the message of the Holy Father and observed that since today the whole country and all Poles will be looking forward to another encounter on Polish soil.

In his address the Pope urged Poles to remain faithful custodians of the Christian deposit. In addition, he admitted that the pilgrimage had brought him closer to the compatriots of his great predecessor and asked Poles to continue to remember him in their prayers.

Then Benedict XVI was approached by representatives of the Polish Government and state authorities as well as Church hierarchs to greet him individually.

The faithful gathered on the airfield chanted "Stay with us!" At the end the guard of honour of the Polish Army paraded before the Holy Father.

Young people sang "Poland Says Goodbye!" Children in Cracow traditional costumes handed the Pope flowers before he ascended the plane. Shortly before entering the plane the Pope blessed the people present. The crowd sang and chanted "Benedetto!" Later the Pontiff greeted the faithful from the window of the plane.

im //mr