Twenty years after the death of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin paid tribute to the Polish pontiff during a Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on April 2, 2025. In the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and around 30 cardinals, the “number 2” of the Holy See praised the “extraordinary courage” and the “constancy of the testimony of faith” of John Paul II.
During a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica attended by both ecclesial and civil dignitaries, Cardinal Parolin spoke of St. John Paul II’s example of holiness.
“Twenty years have passed since that day and the Church still keeps the moving memory of a pastor who came to Rome from a faraway country.”
With these words, the former secretary of Pope John Paul II, Polish Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, welcomed those who had come to attend the Mass in homage to the 264th pope. With them, he referenced the way that John Paul II introduced himself on the day of his election.
Among the personalities present in the front row was Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. On her X account, the head of the Italian government wrote earlier in the day that she was “honored to have met and known such an extraordinary figure who, through his life, his actions, and his example, shaped the 20th century and changed history.”
She also praised the Polish Pope's “spiritual strength” and “love of freedom.”
Numerous ambassadors also made the trip to this celebration, which was attended by dozens of priests and bishops. Pope Francis, who is still recovering at the Vatican after his long hospitalization, did not appear. But Cardinal Dziwisz assured those present that he was united with them in prayer. [Photos of the Mass are at the end of this article.]
A powerful legacy
In his homily, Cardinal Parolin recalled a number of powerful images left by the Polish pontiff throughout his 26-year pontificate. Parolin, who was under-secretary of the Secretariat of State in 2005, first recalled the moment of John Paul II's death. The event generated a “growing, irresistible, unimaginable influx” of the faithful who came to Rome.
The cardinal also recalled the episode of the failed assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square in 1981. He emphasized that John Paul II saw it as an intervention of “Divine Providence, [which] saved him from death in a miraculous way.”
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Cardinal Parolin described the Jubilee of the year 2000 as the “culminating moment” of the saint’s “existence -- practically the fulfillment of his mission.” He also emphasized Karol Wojtyla's participation in the entirety of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
“The Council was a guiding compass for him in his universal pastoral service, for the Church and for all of humanity,” he explained.
The head of Vatican diplomacy also emphasized Pope John Paul II's “tireless” efforts on behalf of peace, recalling ”his diplomatic initiatives in an attempt, until the very end, to prevent wars.”
“Bless us, Holy Father John Paul II”
Lastly, praising the strength of the “tireless pilgrim” capable of traveling “to the ends of the Earth,” the Italian cardinal said that John Paul II had “never sought to please men, but God.”
In conclusion, Cardinal Parolin returned to the image of Cardinal Ratzinger on the day of John Paul II's funeral. The future Benedict XVI could already imagine the Polish pontiff “appearing at the window of the Father's house” and blessing the faithful.
And the cardinal concluded, “Bless us, Holy Father John Paul II! Bless this pilgrim Church of the Lord on its way, that it may be a pilgrim of hope. Bless this torn and disoriented human family, that it may find once more the path of its dignity and its highest calling, and come to know the richness of God's mercy and love!”
