About us
About us
The John Paul II Polish House is a special place that has remained at the service of Polish pilgrims for over forty years. Here, in the heart of Italy, every Pole will find himself as in his own homeland, and will feel the spirit of the pontificate of our great compatriot thanks to a large collection of objects-memories related to John Paul II that create in this place a unique and unrepeatable atmosphere.
Guests from all over the world who come to us find not only room and board, but can also count on spiritual support (pastoral care) and assistance in visiting the eternal city, while the Holy Mass celebrated every day gives everyone an opportunity for reflection, prayer and spiritual strengthening.
The Polish House is administered by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation.
History
The house at 1200 Via Cassia was purchased by Poles living abroad at the time (the so-called "Polonia") and offered to John Paul Il during an audience at the Vatican on November 7, 1981. In the Pope's intentions the donated building was to be not only a shelter for Poles coming to Rome, but also a meeting point marked on the map of Church history and the history of the Polish nation. During his visit on November 8, 1981, John Paul II pointed out that the House was to serve the "Polish pilgrimage" since it is located at the crossroads of roads leading to Rome and from there to Poland and other parts of the world. In the Polish House the pilgrims would not only find food and lodging but would also be able to count on spiritual support and assistance in visiting the Eternal City. Not without significance to the atmosphere of the House is its decor made up of gifts and souvenirs related to the pontificate of John Paul Il. Holy Mass is celebrated daily in the chapel.
The first guests arrived at the Polish House in August 1980. It is attended by individual pilgrims and organised groups from Poland and Polish diaspora communities around the world.In the Polish House, pilgrims are served by priests of the Archdiocese of Krakow, sisters and brothers of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and lay staff.
Guests who come to the Polish House find in it a " piece of their homeland in exile" and an eloquent trace of John Paul II's pontificate.
The Polish House also houses the Center for Documentation and Research of the Pontificate of John Paul II.
Poświęcenie
W dniu 8 listopada 1981 roku Ojciec św. Jan Paweł II uroczyście poświęcił Dom.
Chcemy, ażeby ten dom służył naszemu pielgrzymowaniu, każdego człowieka, a w szczególności każdego Polaka, czy to z Polski, czy z jakiejkolwiek strony świata, żeby był miejscem, na którym ten pielgrzym się zatrzymuje, do którego przybywa, i z którego odchodzi: umocniony, podniesiony na duchu, zaprawiony do nowej nadziei. Takie jest przeznaczenie ogólne tego domu. Jest darem pielgrzymów dla pielgrzymów, darem dzisiejszego pokolenia pielgrzymów dla dzisiejszego pokolenia, ale i także dla następnych.
— St. John Paul about the Polish House
Events
Discover current events and spiritual initiatives of the John Paul II Polish House in and around Rome. Follow bookmark events to stay up-to-date and not miss important celebrations and moments.