Prezydent.pl

A Polish oak was planted in the Gardens of Vatican City on Thursday, two days ahead of the official 100th anniversary of renewing diplomatic relations between Poland and Vatican City.

The planting ceremony in the Gardens of Vatican City was attended by the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State Giuseppe Bertello, Polish Ambassador to the Holy See Janusz Kotański, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, Presidential minister Adam Kwiatkowski, Polish Deputy Environment Minister Małgorzata Golińska, Director General of State Forests Andrzej Konieczny as well as other diplomatic representatives.

During the ceremony, Cardinal Bartello said the initiative is very significant as it symbolises the vitality of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Holy See.

In May 2018, 101 oak seedlings were blessed by Pope Francis during the general audience. The seedlings were clones of the Bartek oak, an ancient oak tree in Poland.

Minister Kwiatkowski read the letter written by President Andrzej Duda, who pointed out that diplomatic relations between Poland and the Holy See has a centuries-old tradition. "May these oaks symbolise Poland's pride, so characteristic of the Polish landscape, which rustle majestically among the greatest testimonies of Christian heritage," Andrzej Duda wrote.

Pope Francis announced the ceremony during Wednesday's general audience, one day before the planting. The Pope noted that the oak, coming from a Polish forest, will be a symbol of life and the strong bonds between Poland and the Holy See. He also underscored that March 30, 1919, is the day on which Vatican City recognised Poland's independence.(PAP)