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Here's some pictures from the Pope's last day in his homeland.


Pope John Paul II shares lunch with his old school friends at Krakow's archibishop residency, Sunday Aug. 18, 2002. In the morning, addressing more than 2 million faithful gathered for the nation's largest open-air Mass ever, Pope John Paul II warned of dangers posed when man "puts himself in God's place." (AP Photo/Arturo Mari, Pool)


Pope John Paul II enjoys light moments together with his old school friends at Krakow's archibishop residency, Sunday Aug. 18, 2002. In the morning, addressing more than 2 million faithful gathered for the nation's largest open-air Mass ever, Pope John Paul II warned of dangers posed when man "puts himself in God's place." (AP Photo/Arturo Mari, Pool)


Pope John Paul II prays in front of the altar of Krakow's Wawel Cathedral, Sunday Aug. 18, 2002. In the morning, addressing more than 2 million faithful gathered for the nation's largest open-air Mass ever, Pope John Paul II warned of dangers posed when man "puts himself in God's place." (AP Photo/Arturo Mari, Pool)


A tired and emotional Pope John Paul II stops to pray at the graves of his mother and father, in a Krakow cemetery August 18, 2002. A kneeler had been placed in the cemetery for the Pope but he decided not to leave his popemobile and prayed very briefly from inside the car. Earlier on Sunday the Pope, making what may be his last trip home, presided over a mass for some 2.7 million people, the largest to attend a papal event in Poland. REUTERS/Vincenzo Pinto


Pope John Paul II prays in front of his parents and older brother's grave at the Rakowicki cemetery in Krakow, Poland, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2002. In the morning, addressing more than 2 million faithful gathered for the nation's largest open-air Mass ever, Pope John Paul II warned of dangers posed when man "puts himself in God's place." (AP Photo/Arturo Mari, Pool)


Pope John Paul II passes a statue showing him as he proceeds through waiting crowds in front of the church in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, Monday, Aug. 19, 2002. It is the last day of the Pope's trip to his native country before he returns to Rome. (AP Photo/Jockel Finck)


Catholics wait as Pope John Paul II makes his way to the sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, for a Holy Mass, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)


Catholics gather in front of the church in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, during a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)


Pope John Paul II speaks during holy mass at the church at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, August 19, 2002. Pope John Paul, wrapping up an emotional homecoming that has revived him and his fellow Poles, asked Monday for the physical and spiritual strength to continue his Pontificate to the end. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen


Prelates pray under a painting as Pope John Paul II celebrates the Holy Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels at the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sanctuary, outside Krakow, Poland, Monday, Aug. 19, 2002. The painting in background commemorates the pontiff's first visit as pope to the sanctuary in 1979. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


Pope John Paul II conducts a holy mass at the church at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, August 19, 2002. Pope John Paul, wrapping up an emotional homecoming that has revived him and his fellow Poles, asked Monday for the physical and spiritual strength to continue his Pontificate to the end. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen


Pope John Paul II blesses two altar boys during the Holy Mass in the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sanctuary, outside Krakow, Poland, Monday, Aug. 19, 2002. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


Catholics pray in front of the church in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, during Mass celebrated by the Pope John Paul II, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)


Two monks sit in front of the church in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, during Mass celebrated by the Pope John Paul II, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)


Catholics kneel down to pray in front of the church in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, southern Poland, during a Mass held by Pope John Paul II celebrating the 400th anniversary of the shrine, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. It is the last day of the Pope's trip to his native country before he returns to Rome. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)


A boy waves a Polish national flag while standing on the roof of a church as Pope John Paul II flies by helicopter over his native town of Wadowice, in southern Poland, Monday, Aug. 19, 2002. Several thousand people greeted the pope as he flew on his way to Krakow. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)


An inscription reading "we love you, holy father" is displayed in the middle of the Wadowice, Poland, main square as people wait to welcome Pope John Paul II Monday, Aug.19, 2002. Some 12,000 people greeted the Pope as he flew three times over his hometown in the papal helicopter. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)


Pope John Paul II bids farewell as he returns back to Rome after a ceremony at the Balice airport near Krakow, southern Poland, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. Wiping away a tear as he ended an emotional visit to his native Poland, the frail pontiff asked his countrymen Monday for their prayers so he can return again before he dies. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)


An unidentified Polish girl cries as Pope John Paul II, shown in photograph top left, departs Balice airport near Krakow, southern Poland, Monday, Aug.19, 2002, as others look on. Ending an emotional visit to his native Poland, the frail Pope asked his countrymen Monday for their prayers to continue his papal mission so he can return again before he dies. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


Pope John Paul II bids farewell as he returns back to Rome after a ceremony at the Balice airport near Krakow, southern Poland, Monday, Aug.19, 2002. Unlike the eight previous visits to his homeland as pope this journey was limited to the Krakow region, where he was ordained and lived for 40 years before being elected pope in 1978. (AP Photo/Jockel Finck)

1 posted on 08/19/2002 10:18:31 PM PDT by Pyro7480
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To: NYer; Salvation; Siobhan; JMJ333; kidd; livius; Aquinasfan; independentmind; madfly; EODGUY; ...
Viva il Papa PING!
2 posted on 08/19/2002 10:19:27 PM PDT by Pyro7480
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To: Pyro7480
Thanks so much and a B^U^M^P
3 posted on 08/19/2002 10:50:23 PM PDT by AKA Elena
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To: Pyro7480
Thnaks & bump.
4 posted on 08/19/2002 10:56:59 PM PDT by j271
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To: Pyro7480
Thank you for the ping

Great pictures.

I'm worried about JPII. I have no doubt he'll skip purgatory, but he retutrns home and says how good it is and hints but doesn't confirm a return. He won't go until he's done, that's for sure. I just hope he can ward off the worriers. I've watched all this before. He's not quite ready, but getting close.

My grandfather, on his last Thanksgiving, was 87. He had not been in the best of health for some time. My mother took him by all the places they lived here close to home that day and to him it was such a very good day. His mind was still sharp, and he kept saying how good a day it was.

Two weeks later, he went on to his reward, slipping away in the middle of the night on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. (Grandma was ticked that he didn't wait for her to get back to the hospital, but my guess was he needed to do it in peace and quiet)

It's early. The dog's hungry and I need coffee, so I'll be back later.
5 posted on 08/20/2002 4:38:15 AM PDT by Desdemona
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To: Pyro7480

From Kalwaria, the pope flew over his hometown, Wadowice, greeted by a sea of 12,000 people waving yellow Vatican flags and singing as the papal helicopter circled the main square three times on the way to Krakow's Balice airport for departure.

Thank you so much, Pyro for posting these photos. They truly capture the essence of his pilgrimage home. I'm crying, just looking at them. What is your source?

Watching the mass last night, there was one scene where the camera pans the crowds outside the shrine and moves in towards the front doors. Just below the stairs, I believe there were 3 or 4 Swiss Guard in their summer weight attire without their helmets. Did anyone else see them?

11 posted on 08/20/2002 9:14:10 AM PDT by NYer
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To: Pyro7480
Thanks1

I am heading out to noon Mass (Pacific coast). Talk to you all later!
16 posted on 08/20/2002 11:03:16 AM PDT by Salvation
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