A Polish pope was a big deal. As the first non-Italian pope in almost five centuries, Karol Wojtła made almost every Pole stand a little straighter when the college of cardinals selected him as pope in 1978 — almost every Pole except the Communist leadership, that is. They likely suspected they were in trouble, but they certainly had no idea the degree to which Karol Wojtła was going to change everything. The regime got an idea when he finally visited Poland in 1979 as John Paul II (or Jan Paweł II in Polish). Celebrating Mass at Piłsudski Square (then known as Victory Square), he uttered his most famous line: “Nie lÄ™kajcie siÄ™.” “Be not afraid.” They responded by chanting ,“We want God.” For over fifteen minutes. John Paul, knowing the power washing over the crowd, let them go, looking back at the representatives of the Communist regime. Not a word was spoken, but everyone in the delegation knew what John Paul II was saying: “Do you hear this? You’re done.”

Today, Poles in the area gathered for monthly Polish-language Mass, then celebrated the canonization of John Paul II in fine Polish fashion: food, singing, soccer, and conversation.

John Paul II was smiling, no doubt.