Thousands of Catholics of Polish descent living in the Archdiocese of Chicago mourned the loss of Poland’s president, his wife and 94 others who died in a tragic plain crash near Smolensk, Russia, April 10. The loss was keenly felt in Chicago, which is thought to have the highest population of people of Polish descent outside of Poland. Here is a look at the local remembrances held in honor of the victims.
Thousands of Polish Catholics stop for prayer on Division Street before making their way to Holy Name Cathedral in a symbolic funeral march on April 18 where they would participate in a Mass attended by Cardinal George. The memorial Mass honored Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and the 94 others killed in a plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, April 10. Chicago has one of the largest Polish communities outside of Warsaw, Poland.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World