Pope's return visit declares Polish intent

From Desmond O'Grady in Rome POPE JOHN Paul announced acceptance on Saturday of the Polish hierarchy's invitation to visit Poland next August. The government has to assent but this is a foregone conclusion. Only a successful assassin could have stopped John Paul's return to Poland where he will surely give a huge fillip to the nation's spirits. The announcement was made as the Polish Primate, Archbishop Josef Glemp, with others of the nine-man Council of the Polish Episcopal
Conference held meetings with the Pope. Doubtless they discussed the recent Jaruzelski Glemp Walesa agreement between the Polish government. Church and Solidarity. which was probably foreshadowed when. on October 13, Polish Foreign Minister Czyrek met Pope John Paul II.
The secretary of the Polish Episcopate. Bishop Bronislaw Dabrowski, hailed the meeting. which would have been unthinkable some months ago. as a major event in Polish post-war history. Polish political issues are being decided or influenced in Rome. Pope John Paul was deferential to Cardinal Wyszynski but, since his death, the Pope's role in Polish affairs seems destined to grow.
In Rome a great deal of energy is now being devoted to Polish affairs. Five months ago. the Pope was gravely injured and Cardinal Wystynski was. dying. Now the Polish Primate is the comparatively young, (54) alert Archbishop Glemp who commutes between Rome and Warsaw. Meanwhile the Pope has recovered his prc-assassinat ion attempt energy.
At the weekend. he opened in Rome a Pilgrim hostel and cultural centre *John Paul II House' which is said to have cost S2 million raised by 25 Polish national committees worldwide.
Rome has become the focal point for the millions of Poles outside Poland. There is danger in this for Pope John Paul II. As he reiterated on November 7, his concern must be universal. A wall-to-wall Polish Vatican could be a bore but. at the moment, the Pope's identification with Poland gives his words resonance.