In Warsaw on Good Friday, the famous 17-meter "papal" cross caught fire

In the Polish capital on Catholic Good Friday there was a serious fire of a 17-meter cross installed in front of the church of Maximilian Kolbe. The incident required the prompt intervention of emergency services: police cordoned off the area around the church, while firefighting units used special equipment with hoists to extinguish the open flames.

According to RMF24, the flames broke out around 3pm and quickly engulfed the entire structure. According to preliminary data, the cause of the fire was numerous lamps and candles, which believers massively left at the foot of the monument. It is reported that the day before the country celebrated the 21st anniversary of the death of John Paul II, in connection with which the number of lit memorial lights was much higher than usual.

This monument, known as the «papal cross», has a special historical significance for the people of Warsaw. Previously, it was located on Victory Square, where on June 2, 1979, John Paul II held his first mass after being elected pope. For safety reasons, the charred metal structure was lowered to the ground. According to experts, the base of the cross itself was not seriously damaged, but law enforcement agencies continue to verify all the circumstances of the incident.