Marek and Sophia Skwarnicki, close friends of Pope John Paul II, were also very devoted to Medjugorje, traveling there often. Marek eventually obtained a job at the Vatican and would often see the Pope personally. Sophia, writing of some of the conversations she and her husband had with John Paul II concerning Medjugorje stated:
“One day, the members of the editorial staff of the paper where Marek worked were received by the Pope with their families. My husband was sorry that I didn’t accompany him, but the Holy Father noticed my absence, and guessing where I was [Medjugorje], he said to Marek that God’s Mother was competing with him, adding that I had made the proper choice. Marek took advantage of the occasion to speak to the Pope about Medjugorje and he received this reply: ‘It is a very important and very positive event.’â€
