President Bronisław Komorowski will invite former presidents and prime ministers to join him on board the presidential plane on his way to Rome for the beatification ceremony of John Paul II on 1 May, a major step to the Polish Pope‘s sainthood.

A minister in the President’s Chancellery, Sławomir Nowak, has said the president’s intention is to have “a broad delegation that would allow politicians to experience this very special occasion above and beyond political divisions”.

Former presidents Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski have already declared their willingness to accept Komorowski’s invitation.

Former communist leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski, who was never elected in a general election, is not going to be invited.

The presidential minister said former prime minister and current opposition leader Jarosław Kaczynski will be invited to travel with President Komorowski.

It is rather unlikely, however, that Kaczynski will accept the offer as, according to an earlier announcement, he will go to Rome by train with a large group of parliamentarians from his Law and Justice party.

While in Rome for the 1 May ceremony, President Bronislaw Komorowski will be received by Pope Benedict XVI and will have a meeting with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano.

Prime Minister Tusk and Parliamentary speaker Schetyna will also be in the Vatican for the beatification. (mk)