Commemorating a historic event: visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II to the Seimas on the first day of his apostolic journey to the Baltics 30 years ago

Press release, 4 September 2023

 

It has been 30 years since the historic visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II to Lithuania. The visit took place on 4–8 September 1993. Atfter landing at Vilnius International Airport and going to Vilnius Cathedral Basilica of Sts Stanilaus and Vladislaus, the Pope continued his visit at the Seimas Buildings where he met with Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, President of the Republic of Lithuania, Česlovas Juršėnas, Speaker of the 6th Seimas, as well as members of the Parliament and the Government.

Photo by J. Kazlauskas. Archives of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Unknown author. Archives of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

 

When recalling his meeting with the Pope, Česlovas Juršėnas, Speaker of the 6th Seimas, who received the pontiff at the Seimas, stressed that the visit was an expression of support to the Baltic States, which had recently re-established their independence but had not yet been included into the international community. Once the Holy See confirmed, at the end of 1992, that the Head of the Roman Catholic Church would travel to the Baltics, the news about the planned visit spread quickly around the world.

 

The visit of Pope John Paul II to Lithuania took place only a few days after the last units of the occupation army had withdrawn from the territory of the country on 31 August 1993.

 

‘The papal visit in its entirety served as an expression of support to the independent Lithuania. The world was a dangerous place, especially for a post-Soviet country that had recently re-established its independence, thus exposing itself to a variety of dangers. John Paul II spoke a lot about spiritual matters, human beliefs, and temptations of the modern world. For me, there were two ways of interpreting his words of encouragement, i.e. as a state, we must have a strong presence in the international community, defend our country, and promote development of education, healthcare, science, the economy and other areas, while as individual people, we must have the determination to follow our spiritual compass and not drift off its course,’ Mr Juršėnas said.

 

Beata Pietkiewicz, Head of the Seimas Provisional Prayer Group, pointed out that the Pope’s visit to Lithuania took place at a particularly important moment for our nation. ‘One could say that with his visit, Pope John Paul II welcomed Lithuania back to the Western world. He encouraged us not to be afraid of change as well as to take full responsibility for the nation and its state of mind, economic welfare, and social and spiritual balance, and to build an independent state.

 

This was an expression of tremendous spiritual support by one of the world’s most authoritative figures, which, in my view, had an impact on both the nation’s will to change and the political ideas and actions of the future,’ Ms Pietkiewicz said.

 

According to Mr Juršėnas, Signatory to the Act of Independence of Lithuania and long-standing Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Member of the Seimas, Pope John Paul II was important to those who were trying to break free from the shackles of Communism. ‘He was one of the great forces that led to the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. In this regard, John Paul II was cherished by people of faith and non-believers alike,’ Mr Juršėnas said.

Photo by J. Kazlauskas. Archives of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Photo from the personal archives of Romualda Hofertienė, Signatory to the Act of Independence of Lithuania

 

Before his departure from the Seimas, Pope John Paul II imparted his blessing on those who had gathered there.

 

A commemorative plaque at the main entrance of Building 1 of the Seimas and the Pope John Paul II Hall in Building 3 of the Seimas serve as reminders of the Pope’s visit. A commemorative plaque was unveiled in the Pope John Paul II Hall to honour those who died for the freedom of Lithuania. The Hall also serves as a meeting room for the Provisional Prayer Group.

Photos by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

 

Monika Kutkaitytė, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6666, e-mail: [email protected]