Krakow (Poland): Pope Benedict XVI urged some 900,000 Poles gathered in a rain-soaked field Sunday to share their faith with other countries in mostly secular Europe, saying it was the best way to honor their beloved John Paul II.
The huge crowd sang, clapped and waved yellow and white Vatican flags during the Mass in Blonia meadow, the same spot where John Paul drew large crowds on his trips to Krakow, where he served as archbishop before becoming pope.
It was the first time during Benedict's four-day trip that he drew a crowd size comparable to those John Paul attracted during visits to his homeland. Benedict has won applause for encouraging prayers for John Paul's canonization, and for saying he hopes it will happen "in the near future".
"I ask you, finally, to share with the other peoples of Europe and the world, not least as a way of honoring the memory of your countryman, who, as the successor of St. Peter, did this with extraordinary power and effectiveness," said Benedict as he concluded his homily.
"I ask you to stand firm in your faith. Stand firm in your hope. Stand firm in your love. Amen!" he concluded, speaking in Polish on the last day of his trip.
Benedict has appealed to Poland to serve as a beacon of faith in a Europe that has become mostly secular. The country joined the European Union only two years ago, 15 years after the collapse of communist rule.
The 79-year-old pope has reached out to Poles by delivering parts of his speeches and homilies in Polish, and by retracing beloved native son John Paul's steps, including a visit his birthplace of Wadowice.
Benedict made a triumphant entrance in his popemobile, riding through a sea of flags _ red and white for Poland, yellow and white for the Vatican _ with the choir singing the refrain, "Poland welcomes you, Poland thanks you".
Some people spent the rainy night in the meadow waiting for Benedict, while others arrived with umbrellas, rain jackets and folding chairs. Police estimated the crowd size at 900,000.
Later in the day, the pope was to make a somber stop at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a significant visit for Catholic-Jewish relations, a favorite cause of Benedict and John Paul II, before flying back to Rome.
A shadow was cast over the Auschwitz visit by an attack Saturday on Poland's chief rabbi, Michael Schudrich. Police said Schudrich was unhurt and the assailant fled, and that they were treating it as a possible anti-Semitic attack.
The mood at the Mass was cheerful despite the wet weather.
"We didn't mind the rain last night," said 21-year-old Katarzyna Dadek from Jaslo who slept in her car waiting for Sunday's Mass. "At least we'll have something to tell our children."
Kamila Wrobel, 16, spent the night in the meadow and got soaking wet, but felt it was worth it. She rode four hours with her Catholic youth group from the town of Debica, and was present for John Paul's Mass in the meadow in 2002.
"The pope is probably in Poland for the first and last time," she said. ''This is a great, great experience filled with emotion.
"When he says something in Polish, then the atmosphere becomes really very special," she said.
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