Our journey begins with a departure for Wadowice, a charming small town around fifty kilometres from Krakow, famous as the birthplace of Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II. Here, we explore the impressive biographical museum located in his family home and visit the parish church in which Karol Wojtyła was baptised.

We then continue to the nearby pilgrimage site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of Poland’s most important sanctuaries. This spiritual place was especially dear to Karol Wojtyła, who returned here throughout his life. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, set in the picturesque Beskid landscape, houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Calvary. It is surrounded by 42 small churches and chapels representing the Paths of Jesus and the Paths of the Virgin Mary, a complex inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Our next stop is the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow-Łagiewniki. The modern basilica, consecrated by John Paul II in 2002, is a vibrant centre of faith. In the neighbouring convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and was laid to rest. She was the mystic to whom Jesus entrusted the important mission of bringing the message of Divine Mercy to the world.

The journey concludes with a visit to Krakow’s historic Old Town and the imposing Wawel Cathedral. The cathedral, the coronation and burial church of Polish kings and bishops, is where Karol Wojtyła celebrated his first Holy Mass and later served as Bishop of Krakow. We see his former private rooms at 21 Kanonicza Street and visit the 14th-century Gothic Franciscan church, where he often prayed before the image of Our Lady of Sorrows. Finally, we discover the Palace of the Archbishops of Krakow and its famous window, from which John Paul II greeted and inspired young people during his pilgrimages.