Poland

The Latest

French court orders cross removed from JPII statue

Oct 31, 2017

By Perry West

France’s top administrative court, the Conseil d’Etat has ordered a cross to be removed from a statue of Pope Saint... Read more

Venerable Serafin Kaszuba, c. 1945.

Priest who secretly ministered under Soviet rule moves closer to sainthood

Oct 10, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Monday Pope Francis advanced eight causes for sainthood, including a Capuchin priest who ministered underground across the Soviet Union... Read more

Our Lady of Czestochowa.

Our Lady of Czestochowa to receive a new crown

Jul 27, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Three hundred years ago this September the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa was crowned Queen and Protector of Poland... Read more

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vaticans Apostolic Palace.

Twentieth century Polish nurse among causes advancing toward sainthood

Jul 7, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Friday approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Hanna Chrzanowska, a Polish nurse and... Read more

The Polish bishops hold their plenary assembly in Zakopane, June 6, 2017.

Polish bishops see continuity between Amoris laetitia, Familiaris consortio

Jun 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

The pastoral care of families was one of the key areas of discussion for Poland's bishops in their latest plenary... Read more

One of Poland's new priests is the prime minister's son

Jun 3, 2017

A son of the Polish prime minister has been ordained a Catholic priest, and he celebrated his first Mass this... Read more

Our Lady of Czestochowa.

Polish parliament recognizes coronation of Mary as nation's queen

Jan 18, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Poland's government has adopted multiple resolutions establishing 2017 as a Jubilee Year for the country, celebrating the 300th anniversary of... Read more

Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein. Public Domain via Wikipedia.

Heroism and sacrifice: The Catholic history of Auschwitz

Jul 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis sat quietly in one of Auschwitz's most ominous prison cells, praying in what had been the inhumane living... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil speaks at religious freedom panel during World Youth Day at the Mercy Centre in Krakow, July 27, 2016. Photo courtesy of Jaclyn Lippelmann/Archdiocese of Washington.

WYD panel discusses worldwide state of religious freedom

Jul 29, 2016

The day after a priest was brutally murdered in France, a panel at World Youth Day in Poland discussed the... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Auschwitz concentration camp, July 29, 2016.

At Auschwitz, Pope prays for God's forgiveness

Jul 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis paid a solemn visit to the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps on Friday, where over a million people... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Shrine of Czestochowa, July 28, 2016.

The humble speak for God, Pope says at Czestochowa

Jul 28, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Those who embrace their own littleness become the “spokespersons” of God, Pope Francis said during Mass at the shrine of... Read more

Al and Yousef Astfan are brothers from Syria who reunited in Krakow at World Youth Day after three years.

Syrian brothers reunite at WYD, and ask the world to pray

Jul 27, 2016

By Kate Veik, Kevin J. Jones

Among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at World Youth Day are two brothers, recently reunited.  Read more

Pope Francis speaks to World Youth Day participants from the balcony of the bishop's palace in Krakow, July 27, 2016.

In first balcony talk, Pope tells youth to 'make chaos'

Jul 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

On his first night in Krakow Pope Francis was already stirring things up with participants in WYD by hosting an... Read more

President Andrzej Duda shakes hands with Pope Francis at Wawel Castle on July 27, 2016.

Francis to Polish leaders: Remember the past, but look to the future

Jul 27, 2016

After landing in Krakow on Wednesday, Pope Francis told Polish leaders to take a look at their history and use... Read more

Wieliczka Salt Mine chapel, Poland.

The story of Poland's majestic 'underground salt cathedral'

Jul 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

Located just southeast of Krakow, the Wieliczka salt mine is famous for many things – most notably its underground chapels,... Read more

Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy Vigil in St. Peter's Square, April 2, 2016.

Pope Francis goes to Krakow tomorrow – here's what to watch for

Jul 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

Many special moments are anticipated during Pope Francis' visit to Poland this week for World Youth Day, especially considering his... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, June 8, 2016.

Pope Francis is ready for World Youth Day – are you?

Jul 20, 2016

Even though World Youth Day doesn't start until next week, thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world are already descending... Read more

        Our Lady of Cze?stochowa.

Who is 'the Black Madonna' and why is she so important?

Jul 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the “Black Madonna,” will be one of Pope Francis' primary stops during his... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal plane, August 14, 2014.

How the Pope's visit to Auschwitz will shape World Youth Day

Jun 16, 2016

Since the very first World Youth Day in 1986, the international Catholic event has been marked by prayer, music, and... Read more

Polish rallies seek stronger protections for unborn children

May 17, 2016

Thousands of Polish pro-lifers have called on parliament to pass a bill that would further restrict abortion in the country.  Read more