One Year On
Tens of thousands of Cracovians gathered outside the Archbishop's palace yesterday in commemoration of the passing of Pope John Paul II. Hymns were sung and candles lit in tribute to 'Uncle', the nickname by which Cracovians remember their former priest and archbishop.
A live television link beamed events from the Vatican, where Pope Benedict read a personal message for Polish mourners.
Similar gatherings were held across Poland, most strikingly at Warsaw, where a huge concert was staged, and at Wadowice the small Galician town where Pope John Paul II was born.
It was announced this morning that the house where Karol Wojtyla was born has been bought and donated to the nation by a wealthy Polish businessman. The house will become the property of the Krakow diocese, and it will continue in its function as a museum.