The year 2020 announced to be the Year of St John Paul II

Press release, 12 December 2019

In view of the upcoming celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope St John Paul II in 2020, the Seimas decided to designate the year 2020 as the Year of St John Paul II. The decision (draft No. XIIIP-4158(2)) was adopted by 78 votes in favour with no votes against and no abstentions.

The adopted document underlines that St John Paul II was the first pope to have ever visited Lithuania. His visit in 1993 provided substantial moral and diplomatic support to Lithuania in the early days after regaining independence and strengthened the spirit of the nation and the aspiration for unity.

‘A permanent pilgrim who visited the world’s outermost corners and met with almost all Heads of State in the world, a staunch advocate of a dialogue between different religious followers, Pope St John Paul II was one of the world’s most prominent figures and an inspiration to all. During his visit to our country, St John Paul II was vocal about his spiritual attachment to Vilnius. As an intellectual, philosopher, poet and actor, he was well placed to connect with both the cultural, intellectual and youth communities,’ the Seimas Resolution reads.

The Seimas proposed that the Government draws up, by 1 March 2020, the programme of events to celebrate the Year of St John Paul II and allocates the funds for the implementation of the programme.

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department,

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