JOHN PAUL II’S PONTIFICATE IN THE BROADCASTS OF RADIO FREE EUROPE’S POLISH BROADCASTING STATION

What is it about?

The article outlines the role of John Paul II’s pontificate as shown in the broadcasts of Radio Free Europe’s Polish Broadcasting Station from 1978 to 1994. For this purpose, selected programmes available on Radio Liberty’s website were examined. The source material was compared with press publications in the monthly Na Antenie. The literature on the subject, including memoirs, letters, biographies and academic studies, provided the background for further consideration. The analysis proved that radio broadcasts on the Pope were not only of religious, social and political natures, but also cultural.

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Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study provides a general overview of the issues addressed by the very popular radio station that shaped public opinion in Poland from behind the Iron Curtain. Considerable airtime was devoted to reports of papal pilgrimages to Poland, coverage of special speeches and day-to-day statements made by the Pope about current events in the country, including the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity, martial law, the imprisonment of Lech Walesa, and the killing of Rev. Jerzy Popieluszko. Both the election to the Holy See and details of the assassination attempt on the Pope in 1981 were covered.

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