86% of Poles Regard Papal Visit as Important Event

WARSAW, Aug. 1, 2002 (Zenit.org).- A recent survey reveals that many in Poland see the upcoming visit of John Paul II on August 16-19 as «an important event in their life.»

After ending his 97th international trip today, which took him to World Youth Day in Toronto, a 24-hour stay in Guatemala, then to Mexico, the Holy Father looks ahead to Poland for his eighth visit; his last visit was in 1999.

The survey was carried out from July 5-8 by the CBOS institute (public opinion research center) based in Warsaw, Poland. Out of the 1,024 people interviewed, only 12% believe that the papal visit «will not be of great importance,» while 2% expressed no opinion.

John Paul II will arrive on August 16, in Krakow, where he was archbishop before he was elected Pope in 1978. Among other things, Pope John Paul II will pray at his parents' tomb.

ZENIT - The World Seen from Rome
1. august 2002