The Polish bishop received an important task from the Pope. “You come from the land of lakes and forests”
During the mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope said: – Today, the Church in Rome rejoices with the universal Church, rejoicing in the gift of a new bishop: Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski, a son of Polish soil.
He recalled his chosen motto: Gloria Deo Pax Hominibus (Glory to God, peace to men).
– This is the deep meaning of every Christian vocation, especially the episcopal one: to show with your life the glory of God and his desire to reconcile the world with him – added Leo XIV. He emphasized that the first lesson for every bishop is humility. – Not the humility of words, but the humility that dwells in the heart of one who knows that he is a servant and not a master, a shepherd and not the owner of the flock – he explained.
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Who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq?
What motto did the new bishop choose?
What words did the Pope address to Archbishop Wachowski?
In what region do they pray in Aramaic?
The Pope turned to Archbishop Wachowski: – You come from the land of lakes and forests. In these landscapes where silence is your teacher, you have learned to contemplate. Among the snow and sun you gained moderation and strength, in a peasant family: loyalty to the land and work. – These roots are not only a memory to be preserved, but a permanent school – noted Leo XIV.
“In this region they pray in the language that Jesus spoke”
He recalled Archbishop Wachowski's work in Vatican diplomacy: in Senegal and Poland, at international organizations in Vienna and at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. He expressed his appreciation for his competence, respect and dedication.
The Pope told the new apostolic nuncio in Iraq that he must be a pastor there and a witness of hope in a land marked by pain and the desire for rebirth. He stressed that the task of the apostolic nuncio is not to defend partisan interests, but to serve for unity.
Leo XIV drew attention to the rich tradition of the Catholic Church in Iraq and the ancient presence of Christians in Mesopotamia. — In this region, people pray in the language Jesus spoke: Aramaic. These apostolic roots are a sign of continuity that could not be extinguished by the cruel violence that occurred there in recent decades, he said.
He also emphasized that Francis was the first pope in history to visit Iraq in March 2021. Leo XIV appealed to the new nuncio in Baghdad to protect the seeds of hope and encourage peaceful coexistence.
The mass was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, including the ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Adam Kwiatkowski.
