"Through St. John Paul II this message reached the entire world, and it is none other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, and who gives us His Father's mercy. Let us open our heart, saying with faith, 'Jesus, I trust in You.'"
The Divine Mercy image was first painted by the Polish artist Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. After the nun's death in 1938, other artists created images inspired by her description of the apparition. The best-known version was painted by the Polish painter Adolf Hyła in 1943.
Sr. Faustina was canonized by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, becoming the first saint of the new millennium. In his canonization homily, the Polish pope described her life and witness "as a gift of God for our time."
Poland's President Andrzej Duda also sent a message marking the 90th anniversary.
He said that the message of St. Faustina, shared with the world by St. John Paul II, "has a universal dimension, reaching the hearts of people of good will, regardless of their religion and worldview."
He continued: "And I am convinced that, especially in modern times, humanity needs the solidarity and hope that sound so strongly in the writings of both of our saints."