A cross dedicated to Pope John Paul II burned in Warsaw on Friday, with police citing candles as the likely cause of the fire.
Papal Cross Fire in Warsaw
A fire destroyed a cross dedicated to Pope John Paul II in Warsaw.
Cause of the Fire
Police spokesperson Kamil Sobótka stated that the most probable cause of the fire was candles lit beneath the cross, due to the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death on Thursday.
Sobótka emphasized that, at this time, police are ruling out the involvement of third parties, but will continue to investigate.
Location and History of the Cross
The cross, located on Mokotów at Rzymowskiego Street, stood before the parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Pope John Paul II celebrated his first mass in Poland after assuming the papacy at the site, then known as Victory Square (now Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square), on June 2, 1979.
The metal and wood cross was erected in 1999 after the church was consecrated.
Reconstruction Plans
Parish priest Andrzej Krzesiński assured that the cross will be rebuilt.
The Warsaw Archdiocese stated that the fire will not affect the schedule of Easter Triduum services at the parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
