It appears that Catholic Poland would very like to have the deceased Pope's heart. And if the Pope provided for it in his testament, they will probably get it.

When I told my husband about this last night, there was a pause and then he said, "G., when her husband died, gave his body to the University hospital so it could be used for research purposes."

Yes. Where to even begin? The sentiments and the world-views underlying these two decisions and desires seem so disparate and irreconcilable. To devote the body of a loved one to research and the advancement of science is a noble decision and shows love and concern for humanity that goes beyond the intimate circle of the family. But, G's husband was not the pope, and his life and death, while not to be diminished in its significance, did not touch the same number of people as the Pope's did.

In Catholic belief, relics of saints are thought to possess great powers, and the heart, the seat of life, is the most powerful of all of them. By returning the heart of the Pope to his native soil, the Polish catholics hope for the spiritual presence of the deceased pope.

The mystical, Catholic belief and the scientific secular world-view seem so disparate, irreconcilable. Does it matter really where a dead person's heart is buried? And why do you need a relic to attain spiritual closeness? Why not just read his writings, pray or meditate?

Why would anyone think of the heart of a dead person as anything else than a muscle that is no longer throbbing? G. let go of her husband's body, but I imagine she kept something that his body touched. A piece of clothing, maybe, or a letter he wrote. Something where, for her, his spirit still resides.  2:45:07 PM