Ursula von der Leyen
publish date:
06.05.2024
news
On 6 May 2024, the Museum of the Family Home of Pope John Paul II in Wadowice was visited by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. With emotion, she visited the permanent exhibition, the reconstruction of which was also made possible thanks to funding from the European Union. She left an entry in the Museum's visitors' book:
I’m very moved by this visit. I will always remember His Holiness’ visit to Germany in 1980. I listened to his powerful, compelling words about how faith enriches our lives. How it strengthens our hope against the assaults of pessimism and doubt. And how it consoles us in our suffering.
His words left a strong and lasting impression on the young woman that I was, and to this day, in my life as a Christian.
The jubilee year
The visit of the Head of the European Commission fell in the jubilee year of the 40th anniversary of the Museum of the Family Home of John Paul II and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the new exhibition. A few days ago - on 1 May - was also the 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the European Union. European integration was one of the key issues for the Polish Pope. He repeatedly stressed that ‘Europe needs Poland, and Poland needs Europe’(1). It is also worth mentioning that the Holy Father was close to the values and goals guiding Robert Schuman - the architect of the unification of the Old Continent. Today, St John Paul II and the Servant of God Robert Schuman are considered the patrons of a united Europe.
(1) Cf. John Paul II's speech during the National Pilgrimage of Poles to Rome, 18 May 2003.
(1) Cf. John Paul II's speech during the National Pilgrimage of Poles to Rome, 18 May 2003.
