Pope Benedict XVI supports Masurian Lake District. Jacek

Pope Benedict XVI supports Masurian Lake District. Jacek
Palkiewicz revealed that he had received an unprecedented
message from the Pope
ON OCTOBER 7, 2011
"His Holiness Benedict XVI is offering a gracious prayer to all who care about the wellbeing, beauty and fame of Masuria, and he is cordially imparting his Apostolic Blessing."
In a major boost for the Masurian Lake District in the New7Wonders of Nature, Pope
Benedict XVI has expressed his support for the Polish candidate.
At a press conference today in Warsaw, the famous explorer Jacek Palkiewicz revealed
that he had received an unprecedented message from the Pope.
“The Holy Father is offering his spiritual support for these efforts, bearing in mind how
much the beauty of the region meant to his beloved Blessed Predecessor in the Holy
See,” states the letter, which noted that during his 1999 pilgrimage to the town of Elk in
north-eastern Poland, Pope John Paul II said that this land had always been very
hospitable to him. “In the spirit of these words,” the letter goes on, “His Holiness
Benedict XVI is offering a gracious prayer to all who care about the well-being, beauty
and fame of Masuria, and he is cordially imparting his Apostolic Blessing.”
Jacek Palkiewicz
The campaign promoting Masuria was also supported by the Polish Episcopate:
“because of the Blessed John Paul II, who visited this land many times and had great
appreciation for the region as the place of meeting with the Creator – through His work –
and with man, being a part and the crown of God’s creation,” as we can read in the letter
written by Bishop Stanislaw Budzik, Secretary General of the Polish Episcopate
Committee.
Jacek Palkiewicz
In addition, Jerzy Mazur, Bishop of Elk, stated that the beauty of Masuria charms and
inspires reflection. He also encouraged people to visit the region and walk the trails
commemorating the Blessed John Paul II, e.g. the “Mysteries of Light” trail leading from
Elk through Sejny to Wigry” and the kayaking route from Wigry to Augustow and
Studzienniczna, known as “The Mysteries of Entrustment.”
Anna Wasilewska, Deputy Marshal of the Region of Warmia and Masuria, thanked the
Catholic Church for its support during the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. “Will we
win?” she asked. “Miracles happen, for example the support offered by Benedict XVI.”