Archbishop Stanisław Dziwisz, born April 27, 1939 in Raba Wyżna , Poland, served as Pope John Paul II's private secretary for nearly 40 years, until John Paul's death April 2, 2005. Known also to Vatican insiders as Don Stanisław, Archbishop Dziwisz was one of John Paul's most trusted aides and closest friends.

On June 23, 1963 Stanisław Dziwisz was ordained a priest by then Bishop Karol Wojtyła - the future Pope John Paul II. In 1966 Father Dziwisz became the second secretary to Archbishop Wojtyła and soon became the principal secretary. He remained on the staff when Wojtyła became a Cardinal. Subsequent to the election of Wojtyła to the Papacy, John Paul II invited him to the Vatican to serve as a private secretary. In 1998 Father Dziwisz was promoted to the rank of Bishop, and granted the titular see of San Leone . He was then given the title of Official of Prefecture of the Papal Household, Roman Curia. On September 29, 2003, Bishop Dziwisz was promoted to the rank of Archbishop, retaining the San Leone titular see.

As John Paul's private secretary, Dziwisz issued many statements from the Vatican, occasionally clarifying situations, as in the case of The Passion of the Christ. When John Paul was quoted as saying "It is as it was", possibly suggesting that he supported the highly controversial Mel Gibson movie, Dziwisz stated for the press that, "The Holy Father has told no one of his opinion of this film."

Many people said that John Paul and Dziwisz had a father-son like relationship. He slept in a bedroom next to that of John Paul's, was always near him during Mass, and usually was with the him almost every waking moment. During John Paul's papacy, he became one of the most influential voices in the Vatican.

Recent events

Polish Archbishop Stanisław Dziwisz, 65, John Paul's longtime private secretary who was at his bedside when he died, had also been mentioned as the possible secret cardinal which John Paul selected in 1993.

As the health of John Paul has declined, some had speculated that in light of being one of John Paul's most trusted aides Dziwisz may have been preparing the faithful for the worst. The Roman newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Archbishop Dziwisz mentioned his concern to another Polish priest. According to Vatican sources Dziwisz told the priest, "Pray for the pope, because he's getting worse." [1]

On March 31, 2005 the John Paul's condition became serious enough that Archbishop Dziwisz performed the Anointing of the Sick upon John Paul. Before the death of John Paul, Dziwisz was reported to have helped him write a message to his staff not to grieve, that he (John Paul) was happy and that they should be too.

John Paul died on April 2, 2005 and according to rules created by John Paul, Archbishop Dziwisz packed his belongings and was forced to vacate the papal apartments before being sealed by the camerlengo. It was believed that John Paul had hoped to appoint Archbishop Dziwisz as Archbishop of Krakow and elevate him to become a cardinal priest, a post and title the pope had held. A vacancy did not however occur. Archbishop Dziwisz's future role in the church will be determined by Pope Benedict XVI. [2]

During the Mass of Requiem on April 8 for John Paul, Archbishop Dziwisz would have the honor of placing a white silk veil over the face of the pope before being lowered into three separate caskets. It would be the symbolic last act of service of Archbishop Dziwisz as papal secretary for John Paul.

Footnotes

1. Fresh Concerns Over Pope's Health http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050322/wl_afp/vaticanpopehealth_050322193134 2005: Associated Press / Yahoo Inc.