The meeting was supposed to last six minutes, but turned into a half-hour conversation full of joy. In the process, Pope Leo XIV accepted a purebred white Arabian horse from Andrzej Michalski, a Polish breeder.
Michalski recalls how the idea came about, what the meeting with the Holy Father was like, and why this gift turned out to be much more than just a gift.
“When I saw the Pope on a horse, I knew right away what I wanted to do”
Aleteia: How did you get the idea to give the pope a horse?
Andrzej Michalski: You know ... it was very natural. When I saw the broadcast of the conclave and the new pope was announced, they showed photos of him in Peru — riding a horse, smiling, with a lightness in his eyes. That's when I thought: This is a man who understands horses.
I went to the stable and looked at my white, or more accurately, light gray Arabian horse. I thought he would be a perfect match — for the white cassock, for the skullcap. And above all – for a man who can appreciate the grace of a horse.
I immediately decided to try this idea. With the help of friends and a few kind people, I managed to reach the Papal Household. There, the Holy Father was asked if he would accept such a gift. He replied with joy: yes.
A six-minute meeting that ran nearly half an hour
What was the moment of handing over the horse like?
Michalski: We set off from Kołobrzeg to Rome – a long journey, with two overnight stops along the way. We were supposed to be with the Holy Father for only six minutes. However, the conversation and the entire meeting lasted almost 30 minutes. It was something extraordinary.
The Pope was relaxed and smiling. It was clear that we’d brought him real joy. I introduced my delegation: Professor Durlik, Mr. and Mrs. Klein, Mrs. Teresa (the rector and founder of the university), the mayor of Kołobrzeg, as well as my son and grandson. Fifteen people in total. The Holy Father led the horse with extraordinary elegance. It was clear that he wasn’t afraid of animals, that this was something natural for him.
To be honest, if we’d given the horse to Pope Francis or Benedict XVI, they probably would’ve just petted it. But Leo XIV immediately took the reins like a true rider. The horse behaved perfectly, as if it knew that this was a special moment.
A careful choice
How did you choose this particular horse, named Proton?
Michalski: I was considering two horses: a Friesian and an Arabian. Friesian horses are beautiful, powerful animals, black as night — but I thought they might be too massive for the Pope. And Arabians ... they’re in a class of their own. Innate elegance, lightness of movement, pride, a look in their eyes. Proton has that certain something — a spark. And, most importantly, he has a good character.
When I saw the Pope leading him, I knew it was the right choice. You could see the understanding between them. It was as if the horse knew right away that this was his new master.
A gelding with a name that will last forever
Many journalists wrote that the Pope received a stallion. But that's not true, is it?
Michalski: Yes, that needs to be corrected – Proton is a gelding, not a stallion. This is important because a gelding is calmer, more balanced. Perfect for a place like Castel Gandolfo.
We didn't change his name – a horse always keeps the name it was given at birth. Proton comes from a beautiful line. His mother was from Janów, his father from America, and his grandmother from Jordan. The town of Janów Podlaski is, after all, the pearl of Polish breeding, famous all over the world. I bought Proton as a one-and-a-half-year-old foal. From the very beginning, there was something special about him.
A bit of Poland in Rome
What did this gesture mean to you personally?
Michalski: You know, it was more than just a gift. I wanted to make the Pope happy, but also to leave a piece of Poland in the Vatican. At first, I thought that maybe the Holy Father would just bless the horse and want it to come back to us — but no. Proton stayed in Castel Gandolfo. A beautiful paddock and stable awaited him there, and the director of the gardens was delighted.
I hope that the Pope will really have a moment of rest with him. After all, a horse is the best therapy; it calms you down and helps you breathe more deeply. Who knows, maybe Proton will help the Holy Father relax after difficult days.
“There hasn't been such interest in Poland since the election of John Paul II”
How did the breeding community react?
Michalski: Very positively. We all felt proud that a Polish horse had been given to the Pope. Father Paweł from Vatican Radio showed us the statistics. He said that there hadn’t been such interest in Poland since the conclave of John Paul II. The media around the world wrote about it — from Florida to Chicago and New York. It’s really great publicity for Poland and our equestrianism.
Thank you very much, it was a pure pleasure to talk to you.
Michalski: For me too. Thank you very much — and may Proton bring the Holy Father as much joy as he brought me when I was raising him. And I invite you to my stud farm. Many competitions take place there, but not only that ... But that's a little secret for now.
