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)
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?