American Papist: Not Your Average Catholic!: The Great Poland Post of 2006

Pope Benedict visits Poland this weekend as the second apostolic trip of his papacy. This post will be updated as the weekend progresses. Please feel free to email me links to news stories/websites covering the trip. Thank you!

Yahoo's Papacy and the Vatican news photos will be updated throughout the weekend. [You can view the slideshow here.]

You can view live television of the Pope in Poland by clicking here and then on the big red button that says TRWA TRANSMISJA.

May 27/28 coverage: The Final Stretch

Pope Benedict: Why God's Silence? Pope Asks at Auschwitz
Pope Benedict: Be Strong in the Faith, Pontiff Urges Poles
Pope Benedict: Youth Promise Holy Father to Be Drug-Free
Pope Benedict: Pope Eager for John Paul II's Beatification
Pope Benedict: Benedict XVI Addresses Huge Gathering in Krakow
Pope Benedict: After Mass in Krakow's Blonie Park
Pope Benedict: Benedict XVI's Farewell to Poland
Pope Benedict: Pope's Message at Auschwitz
Pope Benedict: Benedict XVI's Homily in Blonie Park
Pope Benedict: Papal Address in John Paul II's Hometown
Pope Benedict: Pope's Words at Kalwaria Shrine
Pope Benedict: Address to the Sick at Divine Mercy Shrine
Pope Benedict: Address to Young People in Blonie Park
New York Times: A German Pope Confronts the Nazi Past at Auschwitz
Pictures: The Pope visits Auschwitz
New York Times: A Pope From Germany Prays at Auschwitz
Washington Post: Pope Benedict Visits Auschwitz
Associated Press: Police: 900,000 go to papal Mass in Poland
New York Times: In Poland, Pope Speaks of Quick Sainthood for John Paul II
Reuters: Pope says mass as he prepares for Auschwitz visit
NewsMax: Pope Criticizes Polish Catholic Radio
CWNews: Benedict XVI makes late appearance at "pope's window" in Krakow
CWNews: Pope visits predecessor's hometown
CWNews: "About 1 million young Polish Catholics gathered in Krakow's Blonie Park on Saturday evening, May 27, to meet Pope Benedict XVI...The Holy Father gave his young audience a message of encouragement, telling them that they should not be discouraged by the people who reject the claims of Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter faced the same problem, the Pope reminded his audience, when St. Peter referred to Christ as the "living stone rejected by men."

May 26 coverage: Rain on the Parade

Curt Jester: Pope in Poland Day 2 (photos with captions)
Pictures: Day Two Highlights
CNA: Benedict XVI makes vivid recollection of Pope John Paul II addressing the youth in Krakow
Pope Benedict: Benedict XVI's Message to Young People: John Paul II "Is Among Us"
Pope Benedict: Papal Address in Czestochowa: "Place Yourselves in the School of Mary"
Pope Benedict: Papal Homily in Warsaw's Pilsudski Square: "Faith Is a Gift, Also a Task"
Newsweek: Papal Visit, Poland’s chief rabbi discusses Pope Benedict XVI’s visit, Jewish-Catholic relations and the renaissance of Judaism in a nation once known for its anti-Semitism.
New York Times: In Poland, Pope Benedict Endorses Sainthood for John Paul II

Media coverage:

BBC's In Pictures: Pope's Warsaw Mass
Associated Press: 270,000 attend Mass by Pope Benedict XVI (also includes video)
Associated Press: Poles give Benedict a warm reception
Rueters (Tom Heneghan): Heavy rain, lower turnout for Pope mass
New York Times: Pope celebrates mass in Warsaw rain

May 25 coverage: The First Day

John Allen, writing from Warsaw: "Pope Benedict XVI launched what might be dubbed his "Take Back Europe" 2006 summer tour today, opening a four-day swing through a traditional Catholic stronghold that he hopes will build momentum for reawakening the Christian roots of the Old Continent." [More...] {He will be covering the trip daily}
Whispers has coverage: "While Benedict and Kaczynski were in their meeting, the Vatican television camera seemed a little lost as it followed Cardinal Sodano while he killed time looking at the artwork on the walls." [More...]
The Curt Jester has pictures (with captions!)
Pope Benedict: Welcome ceremony at the International Airport of Okęcie
Pope Benedict: Meeting with the Clergy in the Cathedral of St. John in Warsaw
Pope Benedict: Benedict XVI's Address at Ecumenical Meeting
Pictures: Day One highlights, PPOTD
Zenit: Benedict XVI in Poland on "Journey of Faith", Pope Arrives in Warsaw on 2nd International Trip

Media coverage:

Update: Poles praise pope for addressing them in Polish during papal trip: ""The pope studied hard before this pilgrimage -- besides language lessons, he spent a lot of time privately reading and repeating Polish texts" ... "The pope made several remarks in Polish during his arrival speech at the Warsaw airport and in an address to Polish clergy at the Cathedral of St. John. [More...]
Update: WashingtonPost: Pope, in Poland, Honors John Paul
Update: New York Times: In Poland, Pope Seeks to Strengthen Bond With Faithful and Honor His Predecessor
CNS: Pope, in Poland, says faith, thanks, remembrance to guide trip
CNA: As a community, the Church must practice love, says Pope during ecumenical encouter in Warsaw
CNA: I have come to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II, says Pope on beginning of Apostolic visit to Poland
CNA: Pope meets with Polish Clergy in Saint John’s Cathedral
New York Times: Pope Arrives in Poland for Four-Day Visit
Associated Press: Enthusiasm greets Benedict in Poland
United Press International: Pope starts 4-day visit to Poland
Reuters: Sexy ads, drink sales out for Pope's Poland visit
Reuters (Tom Heneghan): Visit by a German pope raises questions for Poles
Reuters: Warm but sparse welcome for the Pope in Poland
WashingtonPost: Pope Begins Four-Day Tour of Poland

May 24 coverage: The Warm-Up

From this morning's VIS bulletin: "Tomorrow, Thursday, Benedict XVI will leave the Vatican on an apostolic trip to Poland, the second of his pontificate following last August's visit to Germany. In Poland, from May 25 to 28, he will visit Warsaw, Czestochowa, Krakow, Wadowice, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, and Auschwitz."

I had the opportunity of visiting Krakow, Czestochowa, Wadowice and Auschwitz when I was studying in Europe.

Links from Amy's super post: