VATICAN CITY, NOV. 11, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today congratulated Polish citizens on their independence day, calling to mind words of his Polish Predecessor during his 1983 visit to his homeland
Poland celebrated its Nov. 11, 1918, recovery of independence today; the Holy Father offered them a special greeting at the end of today’s general audience.
He cited Pope John Paul II’s words when he arrived to Poland in June 1983: “Kissing Polish soil has a particular significance for me. It is like a kiss given to the hands of a mother, because one’s homeland is our earthly mother. Her history is not an easy one … she has suffered much … she has as well the right to a special love.”
Benedict XVI reflected: “May this description of [your] homeland be for you a motive to be grateful for your liberty and an encouragement to work solicitously for your future.”
