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CNN Saturday Morning News

Pope John Paul II Visits Poland

Aired August 17, 2002 - 07:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Pope John Paul II back in his native Poland this weekend. He's 82 years old, and his frail health is very obvious. This has led to some speculation that this could be his last visit to his homeland as pope, or even that he plans to retire.
Let's go to Alessio Vinci, who's joining us now from Poland with the latest on his trip. Hello.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, good morning to you, Catherine.

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) that rumor is whether the pope will resign or not. Of course, nobody can really tell, but Vatican officials are making it very, very clear that Pope John Paul II not only has no intention to resign, but he also will plan -- is planning to return back to Rome on Monday.

He has already several appointments scheduled for the coming weeks after a vacation at Castel Gondolfo outside of Rome, and, of course, he is planning more trips abroad next year. So certainly on those rumors about resignations, both Vatican officials and the pope himself yesterday saying he was looking forward to his three-day visit here in Poland, here in Krakow.

So no more to that on that story.

Now, again this morning, traveling with the pope, we have witnessed an outpour of affection coming from tens of thousands of people who came from all around Poland to just get a glimpse of John Paul II. Some speculate that perhaps this may be his last trip, the last time they will be able to see him, at least alive here in Poland.

But certainly a number -- an incredible number of people in the streets waving the flags. Virtually every house along the way had a flag or a picture or a banner celebrating the pope.

This is of course just a small fraction of the number of people that are waiting for Pope John Paul II tomorrow. An estimated crowd of 2.5 million people are expected to attend an open air Mass that he was supposed to deliver already three years ago when he was in Poland last, but he had to cancel because he was falling ill.

Now one of the reasons why Pope John Paul II is here in Krakow is because he's consecrating a new church, which is dedicated to a Polish nun who had a vision of Jesus Christ. Now, this is a place where thousands, tens of thousands of pilgrims come every year. But it is also an important place for John Paul II, because he was at a nearby convent.

Now, part of this complex, newly built complex, where he come -- he used to come and pray during Nazi occupation of Poland. It is certainly a place that has really shaped the spiritual feelings of this pope.

Now, during his speech, his homily, while he celebrated Mass there, the pope spoke in very clear voice, pretty unusual for him, but certainly he had a very clear voice, he looked really cheered up, and I think that he gets some of that energy from the crowd that really supported him as he entered the cathedral, large crowd of about 4,000 cried out, We love you, we love you, long live the pope.

So these are certainly outpour of emotions and affection that the pope really draws his energy from.

Now, finally, later this afternoon, the pope will meet, as he always does when he travels to countries, the president, the prime minister, although a small change or a small exception to protocol, if you want, it will be the president and the prime minister who will come here to Krakow to see the pope, to meet with the pope and hold discussions with him at the archbishop residence.

Vatican officials, of course, are trying to limit as much as possible his movements around the country because it's becoming increasingly difficult, a logistical nightmare, if you want, to move the pope back and forth, and therefore, the president and prime minister making this exception to see the pope here in Krakow at the archbishop residence.

Back to you, Catherine.

CALLAWAY: You know, Alessio, after all, this is his trip home. Does he have any other side trips planned during his visit there?

VINCI: Well, there are several emotional moments awaiting this pope besides the Mass (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that I told you earlier. He is going to see the gravesite of -- his parents were buried here in Krakow -- on Sunday, it is the anniversary of the death of his father.

In his autobiography, the pope speaks about a highly religious man his father was., and he said that while he never really spoke with him about his desire to become a priest, he really see him as role model.

And so tomorrow, when the pope visits the gravesite of his parents, and indeed his father, it will be a deeply emotional moment for him.

He's also going to go to the Wavel (ph) Cathedral right behind me here. That's where the pope was ordained priest in 1946, and where he performed his first Mass there in honor of his parents.

Catherine? CALLAWAY: All right, wonderful trip home for the pope. Alessio Vinci, thank you.

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