| Redación - 26/04/2011
Joaquín Navarro-Valls, médico y periodista, es la persona que el mundo entero ha visto junto a Juan Pablo II a lo largo de sus 22 años como portavoz del Papa que ahora llega a los altares. Navarro-Valls y el cardenal de Cracovia, Stanislaw Dziwisz -secretario de Karol Wojtyla durante 40 años- son los dos testigos privilegiados de la extraordinaria dimensión humana y espiritual John Paul "the Great" Born in Cartagena, Doctor of Medicine from the University of Barcelona and a degree in Journalism from Navarre, Joaquin Navarro-Valls was a correspondent for ABC in Rome in 1984 when Pope noticed him and called him to ask some suggestions: "I thought it would be only an hour ...! and were 22 years in the Vatican!".
psychiatrist, journalist and spokesman for two Popes, essayist and writer, Dr. Navarro-Valls is "Honoris Causa" by many universities in Europe and America. Polyglot, athletic, tanned, smiling and cordial, "voice" of Karol Wojtyla now chairs The Advisory Council of the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.
Doctor Navarro-Valls, the presence of John Paul II has remained alive even after his death. How do you notice?
their presence is evident, not only in the richness of his teaching and writings. It is still very loved by millions. Almost say that their mission continues to receive each day in the Vatican Grottoes tens of thousands of visitors.
But do not miss his physical presence?
few days after his death I asked at a press conference if you missed it. And then said, "No, not I miss simply because earlier, according to the work he had, was with him two or three hours a day. Now, however, I can get in touch with him 24 hours a day. I ask advice, I ask you to help me .... "I learned with him to treat the human person that is and not what has
Twenty years working with John Paul II is a very long period. What have given those years? What you have left a legacy?
John Paul II was the best witness of what he said. So your example is his best legacy. But if an idea should reduce all their wealth, would was learned with him to treat the human person and therefore each one is and not what everyone is sympathetic, beauty, resources, etc.
What is your most vivid memory? Perhaps
Finally, the dismissal and without words, when the final was very close. As always, I was in the room, among other things because we had to continue to report on their status. It was a silent farewell. We locked eyes and it was all said he was not the lack of words. When he died, something happened in that room very revealing. Upon the death of the Pope began a prayer for his soul but a "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for his life, a life very rich phase that ended his earthly life at that time.
What was Karol Wojtyla in private?
privately as it was seen in public. But I think that was even better: a man in love and a Christian whose peculiarity was his intense personal relationship with God
John Paul II said that only he could understand "from within." What was the main feature of his personality? The
can have a child who is aware of who comes and who stays together continuously. So him and his spirituality were magnetic, attractive. He had many virtues, which improved every day because they never left to strive to live what those virtues required. But the extraordinary range of virtues did not come into collision with each other, had among them a superb integration. For example, could not waste a minute but at the same time, never hurry, never saw him tense or anxious. Special way I remember his humor, his smile. Even in times when everything seemed to require the tears. John Paul II had an intense relationship with God
In its 104 international travel, Karol Wojtyla taught the world to pray in public. Was it too hard when he prayed in private? Is it true that prayed prostrate on the ground?
Once, when believed only in his private chapel, I saw him sing in front of the sanctuary. Liturgical songs but they were not Polish folk ballads. Sometimes he seemed actually to pray prostrate on the ground.
Was a mystic?
had a strong presence of God, but ate his prayer with the needs of others. Message reached him from around the world, and was in the pew of the chapel. I have seen him spend hours on their knees to these messages, one by one in hand, on all sorts of sufferings and needs. But he knew also give thanks for many good things. I think that prayer was not concerned with things "his" but those of others. And much faith in the mercy of God. So his beatification will take place on the Sunday of Divine Mercy, a party which he instituted and Eve died.
Can you say it was also a Stoic? What was her mortification?
was not a rigid moralist or a Stoic. Her mortifications were very frequent, but above all, ordinary. Small sacrifices to reject without giving more importance to bed that offer on an intercontinental flight, delay drinking water in hot weather countries and stuff. In some periods of the year to one meal a day. And the eve of a priestly or episcopal ordination always fasted.
What was his secret communicator?
His effective communication was based more on what he said, not in how he said it. I would say that the truth of what he said was seen also in the expressive as saying.
But how long the cameras managed to capture?
"In 1987, during a trip to the United States, a reporter from the New York Times said" the Pope dominates television simply ignoring it. " Not prepare the set, did not accept makeup, not paying attention to the cameras or lights, but only to the people. People who, for him, was always a particular person along with other unique people.
"It gave you specific instructions about what he had to say as a spokesperson?
confident in the professionalism of those around him. For example, in 1991, told me in detail that he had diagnosed a tumor in his colon, then, was presumed evil. Its purpose was to announce days later at the Angelus, a few words, he would be hospitalized and to pray for him. He added: "Then, if you know the details, say what you feel is appropriate." He had great confidence in the discretion of each one of us. In 22 years I remember that after a full discussion subject, I never once said, "but this information is only for you, do not communicate." He was optimistic and had an extraordinary good humor
John Paul II is a person that has spoken publicly in history. Did also hear?
listened long and carefully, sometimes for long hours, both visitors and those who frequently invited to his table. Rather than giving directions, I used to do was ask for advice or suggestions. Then, of course, knew decide.
The saints are usually of good humor. "It was John Paul II?
Among the many qualities was also an extraordinary human good humor that went beyond a simple character trait. It was also the result of a conviction of a play around with the parameter of faith. He was optimistic, despite everything, he knew that at the end of human history is God, not the void of nothingness.
You accompanied him on many trips "secret" to the mountains near Rome. What was John Paul II on a day trip?
is a pity that we had done some more since the burden of work and responsibility at the tense world of the eighties was tremendous. We used to go in the afternoon in an anonymous car, we crossed the frenzied traffic Rome and we took a highway to a small house in the mountains. We slept there, and next morning the Pope a few hours skiing or walking. And no one recognized him because nobody could imagine waiting for the lift to the Pope. Were a few hours, but it was a delight.
You accompanied him on trips to 160 countries. How prepared these trips?
spend more time to prepare than to make them. He learned in depth about the situation of each country, its geography, history, ethnicities, languages, etc.. He spent months or weeks to study the language of a country, even the most difficult. I remember in Japan gave all his speeches and homilies in Japanese ... Once I explained why he traveled so much simpler: "Before people went to the parishes. Now is the pastor who has to go visit people."
What was the most important trip?
There were many very important, like Poland, for example. But I am impressed that made to Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, where I could not walk, had more than 80 years and many difficulties to speak. The number of Catholics in that country was less than 200, but wanted to go because he felt that the handful of Catholics had the right to be with Pope
And the most dangerous journey? Probably
visit to Sarajevo, which was delayed and it was very difficult to prepare for security reasons. Shortly before landing we were told that John Paul II could not go in the popemobile but by helicopter from the airport to the center of the city, as the UN forces had just discovered on a bridge a large amount of explosives. I told the Pope, but he asked: "Are there people waiting on the tour?". I said yes, and then replied: "Well done as planned."
You traveled to Moscow in 1988 to deliver a long letter to Mikhail Gorbachev Pope's personal. How was the subsequent visit of Gorbachev to the Vatican and his view on the role of John Paul II in the fall of the Berlin Wall?
Gorbachev's visit was an extraordinary meeting, the first time a Secretary General visited the Soviet Communist Party to a Pope, and the way they understand. That same day the Pope said, "is a man of principles." Although Gorbachev has publicly acknowledged the merit of the Pope, the great protagonist of the fall of the Berlin Wall was he, and he held the promise not to intervene militarily in the Warsaw Pact countries and also avoided a military response from Berlin. Is
Arguably, it was the Pope of the dignity, the Pope of human rights?
All his pontificate has been a defense of the transcendent dignity of the human person. And the characters even acknowledge very lapsed Catholic. The only times I saw him was "outraged" I was faced with situations of violence as in Lebanon or the Balkans. Seeing suffering could not prevent the invasion of Iraq, which he opposed with all his might.
Since the first mass as pope in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II has always had a while to greet patients. What it meant for?
The subject is very deep, made of human suffering and the disease grandes cómplices de su Pontificado. Por eso tenía un gran amor a los débiles y los enfermos. Les sonreía, les acariciaba, les saludada siempre uno a uno. No tenía miedo del sufrimiento físico, que a veces es inevitable, ni de los sufrimientos morales grandes o pequeños: el hijo que te da un disgusto, el amigo que te traiciona… Tampoco tenía miedo al dolor o a la vejez, como se vio a raíz del atentado de 1981 y en los últimos años de su vida, cada vez más afectado por el Parkinson.
Era también el Papa de la «teología del cuerpo»…
Fue una de sus grandes contribuciones, junto con muchas otras. Amaba el cuerpo humano porque es a través del as the human body is inserted into the story. And that body, his own and that of others, deserves respect because it is not just a set of tissues, but the historical status of the person. I was not afraid but rather the body. Touched the sick, caressed and blessed to pregnant women. Kissed, hugged, played sports, cheered, sang ... I think his book on the theology of the body - "Male and female he created them" - is not only a classic of Christian thought but of philosophical anthropology.
you ever talk in English?
We spoke in Italian, he had declared "our language" the first time appeared at the balcony of the basilica of San Pedro. But occasionally initiated conversations with me in Castilian. And it was always going to me a joke. As I said, had the gift of good humor. Castilian only spoke with me when I went to play a joke
How John Paul II looked to Spain?
visit The fact that Spain is already five times eloquent. He knew its history and literature: I still remember great conversations with him talking about classic and modern English authors. He was also aware of some ambivalence in their history.
Now raised to the altar, you will write your book " personal memories of a saint? You play
an issue that weighs on me and I feel like a moral imperative. I have about 600 pages of notes taken during those years ... Much has already been written about him, but his person, his human profile is still rich, at least in part, to discover.
In April 2005, the faithful chanted "Santo subito!", "Holy Now." Beatification is the first step. And then ... holy when?
When God wills. But meanwhile there is anything we can do: learn from it to live. |
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