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Dziennik Polski, July 27th
Wednesday’s edition of Polish daily Dziennik Polski features extensive coverage on the World Youth Day celebrations in Kraków. Pope Francis arrives Wednesday, slated to lead an estimated two million Catholics in prayer during his five-day trip to Poland.
It is Francis’ first visit to the homeland of his late predecessor Pope John Paul II, who once served as Archbishop of Krakow. The 13th edition of the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day will include concerts, plays, a soccer tournament and many other activities during the gathering, considered the biggest celebration of the Catholic faith on the planet, which was launched by John Paul II.
Though John Paul holds an iconic status in Poland for his role in inspiring the nation to stand up to communist rule, Pope Francis may not get the same kind of adoration from one of Europe’s most conservative Catholic nations. The Argentine-born pontiff has called for a more inclusive Church, which contrasts with the ideas of many Polish faithful.
The celebrations have also been marked by the attacks near Rouen, in France, on Tuesday. Two men armed with knives broke into the church Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray and held 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel and several others hostage for 40 minutes, killing the priest before being killed by the police. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the killing. On Tuesday evening, the World Youth Day started with a solemn open air mass for the victims of recent terror attacks around the world.