Warsaw, Poland, May 24, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Pope Benedict XVI arrived today in Poland for a four-day visit, in the homeland of his predecessor John Paul II. "I have come to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II, along the path of his life," Benedict said in Polish to cheers from the crowd of airport staff and dignitaries who were on hand to greet him.
"This is not just a sentimental journey, but a journey of faith,” he continued. Paying homage to the spiritual heritage of this country, "I want to drink at the abundant spring of your faith, which has flowed incessantly for more than a millennium," he added.
Referring to Poland as "the country of my beloved predecessor,” as gusts of wind bore the sound of tolling church bells while Benedict shook hands warmly with state and church dignitaries, including Polish President Lech Kaczynski, Cardinal Primate Jozef Glemp and Archbishop of Krakow Stanislaw Dziwisz.
"I am happy to be here, among you, on the soil of the Polish republic," he said. "I so wanted to visit the country of my beloved predecessor, the servant of God John Paul II, and to be here, among his country people."