Archbishop Peña Parra in Warsaw: 'Achille Ratti Is an Inspiration for the Relations Between Poland & Holy See'

‘It was also a sign of the love of Pope Benedict XV to this land, who, as soon as Poland regained its independence, immediately decided to send his diplomatic representative to Poland’

On the 100^th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Poland, we hope that the example of Achille Ratti will be a constant inspiration for our present and future relations – said Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, during the ceremony of unveiling the monument to Msgr. Achille Ratti at the Apostolic Nunciature in Warsaw.

“On the 100^th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Poland, we hope that the example of Achille Ratti will be a constant inspiration for our present and future relations, so that we will always share a lasting friendship committed to promoting the common good and to transmitting the faith, love and hope to the future generations” – said Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.

“It has been a hundred years since the prelate Achille Ratti, my predecessor as the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, was appointed apostolic nuncio to Poland. It is also the anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the independent Poland and the Holy See. It was also a sign of the love of Pope Benedict XV to this land, who, as soon as Poland regained its independence, immediately decided to send his diplomatic representative to Poland. And I am proud to be the successor of this Archbishop who later became Pope” – said Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland.

In turn, the president of the Pius XI Family House Foundation in Desio, Agostino Gavazzi, presented the activities of the Foundation and its relations with Poland. He reminded that on May 21, 1983, Pope John Paul II visited the Family House of Achille Ratti, who always considered himself a Polish bishop. “During this visit to Desio, the Pope received the seal used by Ratti when he was the Apostolic Nuncio, currently held at the Polish Nunciature” – said Gavazzi.

As the votive of the centenary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Poland, the mosaic in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature entitled “Crucifixion and the glory of the saints” was also blessed.

On June 6, 1919, Msgr. Achille Ratti was appointed by Pope Benedict XV as the first Apostolic Nuncio in a reborn Poland. On October 28, 1919, he was ordained bishop in the Warsaw cathedral by Cardinal Aleksander Kakowski, metropolitan of Warsaw.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference