Meeting with the President of Italy The Beatification of John Paul II, cooperation within the EU, and the situation in North Africa, were the main subjects of conversation between President Bronisław Komorowski and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. According to the President, we should observe the situation in North
Africa together, but we should also observe the situation in Eastern Europe. “We cannot choose between engaging the EU in the African crisis and the problems of the Eastern Partnership – the EU policy must be equally balanced in these two cases,” said the President. ::
Audience with Pope Benedict XVI President honours activists in the Polish diaspora In Rome on 2 May 2011 President Bronisław Komorowski honoured activists in the Polish diaspora for outstanding services to the people of Polish origin living outside of Poland, the promotion of Poland, and actions taken to spread Polish culture and traditions. The President handed out the awards during a meeting with the leaders of Polish diaspora organisations. “All Polish roads lead to Rome. They lead from all over the world, from all countries where Polish people live and prove their devotion to the culture and traditions of Poland, to the Polish language, and to the faith of their ancestors,” said President Bronisław Komorowski. He observed that the awards were proof of gratitude towards the whole of the Polish diaspora. “I wish to thank you all for your ability to keep in mind what is of greatest importance in Poland, and for your willingness to celebrate this special day of the beatification of John Paul II,” added the President. He recalled that on 2 May the Polish Diaspora and the Polish Flag Day are celebrated. “I would like to wish you pride of these red and white colours, that added to the dignity of the beatification ceremony of our great compatriot,” emphasised Mr. Komorowski. The lapel of the President’s jacket was decorated with a red and white rosette, which was later handed over to the Ambassador of Poland in Italy to remind Polish people, as the President said, that 2 May is the Polish Flag Day and that they should celebrate 3 May in a truly joyful manner. The Vice-President of the World Polonia Council, Helena Miziniak, thanked the President on behalf of the honoured activists. “I feel proud that I can serve my country, as I believe that that we are part of the fatherland, that we are one,” said Miziniak. ::
6 :: polish market :: 5/2011
Polish President Bronisław Komorow ski, together with his wife Anna, were hosted by Pope Benedict XVI in the papal library. Before that, the President and his wife attended a thanksgiving mass for the beatification of John Paul II, which was officiated by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, on St. Peter’s Square. “Holy Father, I wish to thank you for the beatification,” said the Polish President at the beginning of his conversation with Pope Benedict XVI. “We can hardly imagine a more joyful event.” The Pope, during his conversation with the President, used the expression “Viva la Polonia” (Long live Poland).
Bronisław Komorowski presented the Pope with a drawing of Saint Stanislaus, a martyred Polish bishop, and explained to the Pope that the celebrations in honour of this patron saint of Poland will take place at the same time as the thanksgiving celebrations for the beatification of John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI presented the Polish President with a bas-relief showing the liberation of Saint Peter from prison. Bronisław Komorowski repeated Poland’s standing invitation to the Pope. “If the Pope’s health and agenda allow, Benedict XVI will make the best of guests to our country,” the President remarked. ::