Pope bids farewell to homeland
The week's news at a glance.
Krakow
Pope John Paul II celebrated the largest Mass in Polish history last week when nearly 3 million Poles came to Krakow to worship with their revered countryman. The pope warned that the transition from communism to democracy—which he helped inspire with a 1970 anticommunist speech—had weakened the country’s moral values. He urged Catholics not to separate faith from politics. Many Poles hoped the ailing, 82-year-old pope would retire and spend his final days in Poland, but he has pledged to die in office. On the last night of his visit, thousands gathered outside the archbishop’s palace, chanting, “Stay here with us!” The pope came to the window and told them, “Unfortunately, this is a farewell meeting.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published