Pope John Paul II arrives in Krakow today for a four-day visit to his homeland

Today Pope John Paul II begins his eighth visit to Poland. The Vatican has stressed that the emphasis of the trip will not be as a nostalgic visit to the past but as a view into the future, a message about God's mercy in a new millennium marked by conflicts and cataclysms. It is widely expected that in Lagiewniki, in the South of the country, the Pope will utter words important for Poland and the whole World. Father Renato Boccardo, one of the key organizers of the visit, is convinced that His Holiness will entrust the World to God's Mercy. The Pope will probably not speak about the European referendum, nor will he advise politicians on how to solve current social and economic problems. The Italian media has widely publicized the Pope's visit to Poland. "Corriere della Sera" published an interview with Wojciech Jaruzelski, who stated that Pope was instrumental in the fall of Communism thanks to his spiritual power, together with Gorbachov, Reagan and Walesa. The Pope greeted Poles who gathered in Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence, and asked them to spiritually accompany him on his trip to Poland. (Rz eczpospolita, p. A1) P.W.