Turning then to the laity, the Pope said that "one of the chief aims of the activity of the laity is the moral renewal of society, which cannot be superficial, partial and instantaneous.”
“One specific task of the laity”, he said, “is participation in public and political life. ... The Church does not identify herself with any one party, political community or political system; she does, however, recall that lay people in public life must bear courageous and coherent witness to Christian values, which have to be affirmed and defended when they are threatened.”
“They must do so publicly,” he stressed, “both in political debates and in the communications media"
"Dialogue undertaken by the Catholic laity on political questions," the Holy Father added, "will prove effective and of service to the common good when it is founded on love for truth, a spirit of service, and united commitment in favor of the common good."
Following the Holy Father's address, Krakow’s Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz took the stage to address the Pope.
"There is a reason”, he said, “for which we would like express our gratitude…and that is your adherence to the person and the work of Servant of God John Paul II.”
“In the first place,” he continued, “we would like to say thank you for your discreet, competent and faithful collaboration throughout such a rich and important pontificate. We can only imagine how precious your wise advice was to John Paul II, both in the most difficult theological questions and in matters concerning the daily life of the Universal Church.”
He also thanked the Pope “for the delicacy with which you accompanied your dear predecessor in the final days of his sickness and for your testimony as dean of the College of Cardinals during the funeral,” adding that no one could forget “your continuous recollection of the teaching and example of John Paul II in your speeches and pastoral activities.”
The Archbishop likewise expressed his gratitude “for the decision to reduce the time for the opening of the cause of beatification of our beloved Pope…Thank you, Your Holiness!"
Archbishop Dziwisz closed his brief address by extending a heartfelt invitation to the Pope to visit Poland.
The Church there, he said, is "anxious to welcome you. We all await your visit to our country and to the Church that loves you and supports you with constant prayer. You may be certain of these sentiments.”
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“As you know,” he said, “the beloved John Paul II never sought to bind people to his own person, but to Peter's Successor. Our people unhesitatingly understood this concept; they do not cease to love the late Pope, but they equally love the one who succeeded him.”
Lastly, the Archbishop told the Pope that “it is above all young people who ask us to tell Your Holiness that they want to meet you during your visit to Poland. I would be honored if this meeting were to take place in Krakow."