💥 Fr. Cyriacus Kamai 🇳🇬

On October 22, 1978, during the inaugural Mass of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square, a historic and deeply emotional exchange took place between the newly elected Polish pontiff and his mentor, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, the Primate of Poland. As the College of Cardinals processed forward to pledge obedience and kiss the papal ring, Cardinal Wyszyński who had been a mentor and close ally to Karol Wojtyła for years approached the altar. When Wyszyński moved to kneel, John Paul II immediately stood up, prevented him from kneeling, raised him to his feet, and embraced him. Cardinal Wyszyński insisted on showing traditional reverence, and the Pope held him tightly, kissing his face, head, and hands in a powerful sign of gratitude and respect. On October 23, 1978, the day after the ceremony, Pope John Paul II publicly acknowledged the cardinal's immense sacrifice and leadership under communist persecution, stating: "This Polish pope... would not be on Peter's Chair were it not for your faith, which did not retreat before prison and suffering." Both Churchmen were instrumental to the collapse of communism in Poland.