Tens of thousands of Polish took part in Warsaw in a "national march for the pope" who died in April 2005, to defend the reputation of the late Pope John Paul II, who was recently accused of covering up cases of pedophilia while he was archbishop, in a country known to be orthodox. catholic.

Edited by |Anna Sam

Religions and Beliefs section

3 April 2023 - Warsaw

      Like all other marches, this march was organized by Catholic organizations with the declared support of the government and the ruling National Populist Party.

 "We pass the test by showing the truth, which must face lies, defamation, and insults," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote in a tweet.

Demonstrators gathered in Poland on Sunday to defend the reputation of the late pope John Paul II, who has been accused of concealing child abuse crimes while he was archbishop of Krakow.

Thousands of people in the staunchly Catholic nation turned out in Warsaw on horseback, wearing historical costumes or draped with the flags of the Vatican and Poland, AFP journalists saw.

The events to honor John Paul II were planned by Catholic organizations with the open support of the governing Law and Justice party (PiS).

"As every honest man defends his children, father, and mother, all of Poland defends John Paul II," read one placard carried by demonstrators.

Mariusz Blaszczak, defense minister in the right-wing, populist PiS, which is facing parliamentary elections in a few months' time, attended the rally in support of Poland's famous son, born Karol Wojtyla.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and President Andrzej Duda posted messages on their websites defending the late pontiff.

"What is happening in Poland is a huge scandal," said demonstrator Alicja Fabertynowska. "It's deliberately aimed at destroying his authority," she said of John Paul II, who died on April 2, 2005.

The late pontiff is widely venerated in his homeland, even if the official cult of Saint John Paul II is beginning to show cracks, particularly among youth.

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