by InTrieste
The city of Trieste has officially named the road leading to its iconic Monte Grisa Sanctuary after Pope John Paul II, commemorating the late pontiff’s historic visit to the city exactly 33 years ago.
At a solemn ceremony held beneath clear spring skies, city officials and local residents gathered to unveil a plaque bearing the name of the Polish pope, born Karol Wojtyła, who served from 1978 until his death in 2005. Bishop Enrico Trevisi of Trieste presided over the event, alongside municipal and regional authorities.
“This is a tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the history of the Church and of humanity,” said Sandra Savino, Italy’s Undersecretary for Economy and Finance, who originally proposed the naming in her capacity as a local councilor. “John Paul II was the pope of dialogue, peace, and freedom. He spoke to young people, brought nations closer together, and courageously defended human dignity against all forms of oppression and totalitarianism. He was a symbol of hope for millions, believers and non-believers alike.”
Michele Babuder, Trieste’s Councilor for Territorial Policies, added a personal note, recalling how he met the pope in 1992 during the pontiff’s visit to the city. “I was 16 years old, and that memory has stayed with me. For me, and for many Triestini, this is a special moment,” he said.
The fact that this year marks exactly 33 years since that visit is deeply symbolic.
Pope John Paul II’s pontificate was the third longest in Church history and is remembered for his role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, his outreach to youth, and his efforts to build interfaith dialogue. He was beatified in 2011.
The sanctuary at Monte Grisa, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Adriatic Sea, has long been a place of pilgrimage and reflection. Now, the newly named Via Papa Giovanni Paolo II ensures that the memory of the pope’s legacy continues to echo through the streets of Trieste.
Interview: Trieste’s bishop, Enrico Trevisi; Trieste’s councilor for territorial policies, Michele Babuder
