” “”Nearly three million Poles want to meet the Pope: during Mass in the squares (over 100 thousand people will be in Pilduski square, in Warsaw) to attend Mass which Benedict XVI will celebrate in the morning of 26th or to see him pass along the streets. 80% of the population will watch his visit through the media”. Just before Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey to Poland (25-28 May), these are the figures announced to SIR by father Andrzej Majewski, in charge of Catholic programs for the Polish State TV; “figures that show the population’s huge expectation and interest in the Pontiff”. “Just after Benedict XVI’s election, we wondered whether Poles would feel for the non-Polish Pope, or indeed a German Pope, the same feelings they had for John Paul II; as he walked in his predecessor’s footsteps and made people feel his sincere friendship and veneration for him, and as he decided to go to Poland on his first journey abroad, Pope Ratzinger conquered their hearts”. Media coverage of the event will be extraordinary: not only “the main events explains father Majewski will be broadcasted by the Polish TV; the third channel will become the ‘Pope’s channel’ for four days because it will be totally dedicated to his journey. In addition, a website, a blog and an MMS service will be operated”.
