The content was mostly about John Paul II:
Q. So this appointment and convocation to Rome didn’t come as a surprise?
A. It was hard for me, because when I was made Bishop of Munich, with a solemn consecration in Munich cathedral, I felt I had an obligation towards this diocese, almost like a marriage. So I felt bound to this diocese. There were several difficult unresolved problems and I didn’t want to leave the diocese that way. I discussed all of this with the Holy Father, with great frankness and he was very paternal towards me. He gave me time to reflect and said he also wanted to reflect. Finally he convinced me that this was the will of God. Thus I could accept this calling and this great responsibility, which wasn’t easy and which was beyond my capacity. But trusting in the paternal benevolence of the Pope and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I could say yes.
So, why are those people watching on an outdoor screen?
Because it’s the 27th anniversary of the beginning of John Paul II’s papacy, and Poland is celebrating. And Dziwisz is talking:
At aides’ request, John Paul recorded a message just before he was taken into the operating room at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic on Feb. 24 for a tracheotomy to insert a breathing tube, Dziwisz said in an interview published Sunday.
"It would be his last (message), because from that day he would be able, with great effort, to pronounce only a few phrases," Dziwisz said.
"I kept that audio cassette, but I haven’t yet had the strength to listen to it again," Dziwisz was quoted as telling Avvenire, the daily newspaper of Italy’s bishops conference. The prelate did not describe what John Paul said in the message.
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