Krakow, 18.04.2010, source: TVPAround 150,000 gathered in Krakow for the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria.
Our correspondent in Krakow, John Beauchamp tells Slawek Szefs what’s it like in the city on this historic day.
After the funeral ceremony at St Mary's, which began at 14.00 CET, the funeral procession will begin at 15.30, making its way to Wawel Castle where, at 16.30, the coffins will be put into the specially built tomb.
Marta Kaczynska and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, source: TVP
Though president’s from the US, Germany and top European officials cancelled their trips to Poland following the persistence of the ash cloud over Polish air space, leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Morocco and Azerbaijan are in the southern Polish city.
A time for reconciliation
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, once a close aid to John Paul II, led the funeral mass. Referring to the recent improvement in relations between Russia and Poland following the death of Lech Kaczynski, the cardinal welcomed President Dimitry Medvedev who was attending the service, and hoped the tragedy could be a force for “rapprochement and reconciliation".
Source: TVP
Around 700 VIPs sat inside the Basilica, while some 40,000 watched on large screens in the market square. Up to 50,000 people are watching the mass in other locations in Krakow, said Krakow police spokesman Mariusz Sokolowski.
The police spokesman said the people were “very quiet, with people in deep contemplation".
The homily, by Cardinal Angelo Sodano - who could not travel from the Vatican to Krakow because of the ash cloud closing air space - was read by Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk.
The mass ends with an address by acting president Bronislaw Komorowski.
Komorowski paid tribute to the presidential couple in front of the two coffins which had been placed on the alter. He expressed hope that the deaths of so many of Poland‘s top military and politicians would "finally heal the wound of Katyn”.
The coffins were then taken on military vehicles through flag-lined streets to the Silver Bell Tower at Wawel Castle where they will be laid to rest. Crowds broke into applause and shouted “We thank you, Lech Kaczynski”. At 17.10, the Zygmunt Bell sounded at the castle.
Krakow, 18.04.2010, source: TVN24Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz then said liturgical farewell to Lech Kaczynski and Maria at Wawel Cathedral in front of guests including Georgian President Mikhail Sakaszwili, who delayed in arriving in Krakow in Rome, where flights were disrupted by the ash cloud.
President Dimitry Medvedev told reporters before he left Krakow after the funeral mass at St Mary’s Basilica: “The tragedy that occurred near Smolensk has not left anyone indifferent. In our country it has sparked strong emotions."