Archbishop Piero Marini honors legacy of Pope John Paul II

Archbishop Piero Marini, the longtime master of papal liturgical celebrations, shared personal reflections on his relationship with Pope John Paul II during a ceremony in Rome. During the solemn procession of the late Pope's relics to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Marini described the Pontiff as a “second father” and one of the “angels” in his life.

Marini recounted their history beginning in May 1973 in Krakow, when he first met then-Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. Following Wojtyła's election to the papacy, Marini served as papal master of ceremonies. He noted that in 1987, John Paul II appointed him master of papal liturgical celebrations, a role that saw him accompany the Pope on 74 international apostolic journeys to over one hundred countries, as well as approximately fifty trips within Italy.

In his homily, Marini emphasized the deep connection between liturgy and local culture that the Pope sought to explore during his travels. He also reflected on the spiritual significance of their bond, noting that John Paul II personally ordained him as a bishop on March 19, 1989.