Abstract

The article focuses on the philosophical aspects of John Paul II’s teachings during his pilgrimages to Poland. The pope, as an academic and philosopher, often discussed, in his teaching, topics that had also previously been part of his scholarly philosophical studies. Therefore, the philosophical legacy of Karol Wojtyła serves a significant context that enriches the papal teachings. This way, a complementing light is shed on his teachings, the terms he was using gain a deeper meaning and one can observe a deeper sense in his message. Under the influence of the statements of John Paul II during his pilgrimages to Poland, an unmistakable impression arises that they form a logical and comprehensive moral teaching firmly rooted in his pre-pontifical theological and philosophical thought, developing ideas (especially in the theological dimension) and giving them practical expression. The philosophical work of Karol Wojtyła is an important pillar and source of inspiration for the theology of John Paul II, especially in his teaching about the human person, laying the foundations for Christian anthropology. At the end of the paper, a specific aspect of the papal teaching in the Polish context is stressed.

Highlights

  • Many works are devoted to the pilgrimages of John Paul II to Poland (Jackowski et al.2009)

  • This study focuses on selected academic and pastoral statements by Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II

  • The teaching of John Paul II is deeply rooted in his pre-pontificate philosophical reflections and it is them that reveal the deepest dimension of the papal message

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Summary

Introduction

Many works are devoted to the pilgrimages of John Paul II to Poland (Jackowski et al.2009). Researchers have analysed various aspects of the papal pilgrimage, such as the historical (Polak et al 2019), political (Klima 2014; Wnuk-Lipinski 2017), psychological (Biela 1980), sociological (Mach 2009; Ruszkowski et al 2006), cultural (Skrzypczak 2019), aesthetic (Mrowinski and Przestek 2020), linguistic (Bartminski 2000; Puzynina 2002), geographic (Jackowski et al 2009), mediatic (Baczynski 2011; Pieniak 1997; Mydlarska 2019), evangelization-related (Adamiak 2020) or theological (Baczynski 2007) aspects. Attention is paid to the philosophical message of the pope’s teaching. The reason for this probably lies in the fact that John Paul II— he was a philosopher—tried to formulate his statements as as possible during his meetings with the faithful. At the end of the paper, a specific aspect of the papal teaching in the Polish context is stressed

Resources and Method
Excerpts from the Academic Biography of Wojtyła
A Man Is a Person—A Unique and Eternal Value
Truth–Freedom–Conscience
Philosophical Message of Papal Pilgrimages
Discovering the Dignity of a Person
In Defence of the Truth
Freedom—But Not Absolute
Conscience Formed by the Objective Truth
The Papal Message and Polish Context
Conclusions
Full Text
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