¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1: 15

Hülsparkstadion, Kevelaer, Germany - Samstag, 2. Mai 1987

The natural centers of world and salvation history are not the bustling capitals of politics and economy, money and earthly power.

The true centers of history are the silent places of prayer of the people.

Here, the encounter between the earthly world and the supernatural world takes place in a particularly dense way: the pilgrim Church on earth with the eternal and victorious Church in heaven.

Bigger things are happening here, and more decisive for life and death, than in the big capitals, where you think you have your finger on the pulse and turn the wheel of world history.

Excerpted and Translated from the writings of Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Journey to the Federal Republic of Germany
Lauds and Homily at Hülsparkstadion

Read the original Vatican text

The Evangelical Saint Pope John Paul II

The True Centers of History