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John Paul II’s birthplace attracts pilgrims from across the world

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 26.07.2016 16:50
Several thousand young people from thirty countries have changed the face of Wadowice, the Polish Pope’s birthplace, during the World Youth Day.
Pilgrims at the JPII museum in Wadowice. Photo: PAP/Maciej KulczyńskiPilgrims at the JPII museum in Wadowice. Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

The town, which is located only 50 kilometres from Kraków, the venue of the WYD, serves as their base for the entire week. Jamie, a student from the United States, told the Polish Press Agency that it was a moment of great excitement for her to stand at the place where, on 20 June 1920, Karol Wojtyła, future Pope John Paul II, was baptised.

The John Paul II Museum, which is located in a house in which Karol Wojtyła was born, is attracting so many people that guided tours have been suspended so as not to limit the number of visitors. The museum collection has been enriched with capsules of earth from 26 countries, including Australia, Switzerland and Zimbabwe, a total number of such capsules reaching almost 80.

While in Wadowice, foreign pilgrims take part in religious services, go on sightseeing tours of the nearby Beskid Mountains, participate in a soccer tournament and concerts. After attending the main events with the Pope in Kraków, they will return to Wadowice on Sunday for a farewell ceremony. (mk/rg)

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