Pope Leon XIV to Visit Poland in 2028, Preparations Underway

Poland is gearing up for a significant papal visit, with Pope Leon XIV expected in 2028. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead in coordinating government preparations for this event, which it describes as an opportunity to unite various societal groups beyond current political divides.

The ministry announced on X that the upcoming pilgrimage was a key topic during a meeting between Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, the metropolitan of Gdańsk and president of the Polish Episcopal Conference. The meeting took place on August 5.

Both the state and the church have formally invited Pope Leon XIV. The state's invitation was extended by President Andrzej Duda, Karol Nawrocki, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, while the church's invitation came from the Presidium of the Polish Episcopal Conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a central role in organizing the government's side of the visit due to its international nature.

While the exact dates for the Pope's visit have not yet been finalized, a dedicated organizational team comprising representatives from both church and state entities will be established once the schedule is confirmed. Poland has a rich history of papal visits, having hosted three popes on 11 occasions. Pope John Paul II visited nine times, Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2006, and Pope Francis visited in 2016 during World Youth Day.