The image of decease of John Paul II in regional press in Małopolska Region (on the example of newspaper "Dziennik Polski")

The pontificate of Pope John Paul II lasted 26 years and differed fundamentally from the previous. From the very beginning it was oriented toward active relationship with media. The Pope saw in media a great influential force, he was looking in media for potential allies of his messages and a new way of religious activity, more vigorous than ever before. He was fulfilling the role of head of the Catholic Church in contemporary and traditional way alike. The moment after announcing the death of Pope on April 2, 2005 at 21.37 media reacted in an impressive way, radically different than in the past. Both leading in terms of range and regional media with great tact showed the moment of departure of John Paul II and people’s reactions to the news about his death. The subject of the article is analysis of regional daily newspaper – ‘Dziennik Polski’ distributed in Malopolska region – the fatherland of John Paul II, in Podkarpacie and partly in Silesia. The subject of analysis are all texts published in this newspaper from March 26 to April 11, 2005. Together it was 417 articles – the most published in one title about departure of John Paul II, funeral ceremonies and thoughts accompanying it. It is a phenomenon of effective public communication in a regional dimension.