In many ways, he became the first compared to his predecessors: he visited a Muslim country, a synagogue, a mosque, asked forgiveness for the medieval crimes of the Catholic Church, and entered the Guinness Book of Records after his sermon in the Philippines attracted the largest audience in history.
And now – another unprecedented act. John Paul II was not the first pope to set foot on Ukrainian soil; he was only the third. But two of his predecessors lived in the first millennium and came here as exiles. John Paul II, however, arrived as a pilgrim. And, of course, as a state leader.
Speaking at a press conference dedicated to the first days of the Pope's visit, his press secretary, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, stated: “John Paul II's long-standing dream of visiting Ukraine has come true, and the Pontiff is now experiencing the joy of fulfillment.”
According to the press secretary, he had long heard from the Pope about his desire to visit Ukraine. Among other things, John Paul II had a biographical reason for the visit – for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, its head was a Slav who felt the need to visit the cradle of Eastern Christianity. In addition, the press secretary said, the Pope's visit supports Ukraine in its aspiration to join the EU, and he wants to show Europe a country that can be its full-fledged member.
Through the eyes of an ordinary citizen, however, the Pope's visit to Ukraine and to Kyiv in particular – not through the Pontiff's fault, but rather paying tribute to historical tradition – was turned by domestic 'servants of the people' into an 'event' that caused a lot of trouble for themselves and inconvenience for those who came to meet the First Priest on Earth. As a result, at the 'Chaika' airfield, where the Divine service was held and the Pope delivered his sermon, only 152,000 pilgrims were present instead of the declared 300,000. Moreover, police cordons and chains of 'crimson berets' only added nervousness and tension to the atmosphere.
The Pontiff's entrance in a snow-white popemobile 'among the people' instantly defused that tension, and the entire field seemed to light up with joy radiating from thousands of hearts. Throughout the time the Pope was driving around the pilgrims, during the service, and right up to his departure, feelings, reason, and experience told us: before us is a Personality, a Man, a Thinker.
Also memorable and creating a favorable impression was HOW Catholic services are conducted – without primness and, one might even say, joyfully. Beautiful songs, wonderful melodic greetings... And when the song 'Shalom, Israel!' came from the loudspeakers, even seasoned journalists from Western media rushed with microphones to the speakers.
“From this city, which is the cradle of the Christian faith for Ukraine and the entire region, I turn my gaze to the people who live on these lands and embrace everyone with heartfelt love.” Uttering these words, the Pope addressed all the inhabitants of our beautiful country.