Thousands gather for symbolic Pope Benedict mass

Thousands pressed into a Warsaw square today for a Mass by Pope Benedict XVI at the spot where his predecessor, John Paul II, inspired Poland’s Solidarity movement against communist rule in 1979.

People filled vast Pilsudski Square under a light drizzle and cloudy skies two hours ahead of time, determined to see Benedict pay tribute to his friend and mentor – one of the themes of his trip to Poland.

The choice of the site for the Mass recalled John Paul II’s bold call to “renew the face of this land” at the square, then called Victory Square, during his triumphant first visit to his native land after being elected Pope.

His appearance challenged the atheist communist authorities and was credited by Solidarity founder Lech Walesa with energising the emerging trade union resistance to Soviet-backed communist rule, which collapsed in 1989-90.

It is the highlight of the second day of a four-day trip which will include Benedict’s visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a visit heavy with significance for Catholic-Jewish relations, a favourite cause of Benedict and John Paul II.