The Death of John Paul II

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The Letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Adam Daniel Rotfeld
to His Eminence The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Eduardo Martinez Somalo
It is with sorrow and grief that I ask Your Eminence to accept my expressions of the deepest sadness and sympathy. We celebrate the remarkable Pontificate of John Paul II, aware that no words are capable of conveying what is in our hearts. The Holy Father was with us at all the key junctures of the last 26 years, he shared with us joy at the successes of his Beloved Homeland, studied its problems with deep concern, always pointing to the path of hope and love, solidarity and brotherhood. The ministry of His Holiness was to millions of Poles a profound manifestation of “the heroic spirit” in the face of the evil of the modern world, a source of solace for people distressed by their daily travails, a trail marker indicating the sense of suffering. It is with the greatest reverence and respect that I thank for every moment of the Holy Father’s presence.

His Holiness was the Supreme Champion of the freedom of our Homeland and of all the subjugated peoples. In international forums, he forcefully called for the observance of human rights and respect for the sovereignty of states and nations. He opened Poland’s path to liberation from the totalitarian enslavement of lies and manipulation. His words conveyed encouragement to transcend the borders of states and political systems, they instilled hope for the victory of truth. Today, a sovereign and free Poland pays tribute to its Beloved Compatriot, filled with gratitude for the gift of this Pontificate , which changed the course of the 20th century.
His Holiness ushered humanity into the new millennium, endowing us with the Christian message of hope, enshrined in such values as respect for the dignity of the human person, and a striving for peace rooted in solidarity, friendship and brotherhood – something that unites us, Europeans, through a common heritage. For ever, he will remain in our grateful memory as a Great Man and a Great Pole, the First Slav on the throne of Peter, the Pope of “the civilization of love”, whose Pontificate became deeply embedded in the hearts of Poles – as deeply, as Poland was present in the heart of the Polish Pope.