The Church in Poland faced great oppression in the 20th Century, first under the Nazis and later under the Communist regime.
But in the same way that Jesus suffered and then brought hope to the world through his resurrection, Jarzembowski said Poland's history also had moments of great grace with the lives of three saints.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar, volunteered to starve to death in place of a father during the Holocaust.
The Polish mystic and nun, Saint Faustina, grew up in Poland during the World Wars and received messages of mercy from the Lord, known today as the devotion of the Divine Mercy.
Karol Józef Wojtyla grew up in Poland, became Pope John Paul II in 1978, and argued with the Polish government in order to make a papal visit in 1979. Millions of people lined the streets and his impact brought improvements to religious freedom in the country. He held the first World Youth Day in 1986 and now – 30 years later – the celebration will take place in the city where the saint once served as archbishop.
"The fight for equality and rights especially in Communist Russia was about sticking together, about bonding together, about not doing it alone," Jarzembowski said.
"That spirit is the same spirit as World Youth Day. I think that's why there's such electricity to the air. You know that you're not alone."
Jarzembowski said the Polish government has been very cooperative with the Archdiocese of Krakow and has enhanced security to keep the pilgrims safe. He also said the government is excited to see so many people in their country.
The more than two million pilgrims expected to attend World Youth Day will encounter the universality of the Church through liturgy, music, diverse languages, and prayer, concluding with Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.
"The experience of celebrating a faith that you have with millions of other people, standing side-by-side with you, is truly something special," Jarzembowski said.
"It's distinct from any other gathering in the Church and any other gathering in culture."
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Pope Francis has not announced if young people will accompany him to Auschwitz. His visit is not open to the public, but pilgrims can register online to visit the historical site during other limited times in the week: http://mlodzi.duszpasterstwa.bielsko.pl/auschwitz/