By Father Noel C. Burtenshaw

You know the Polish. They are fanatically stubborn. Ruled by atheists, watched by hopefully domineering Communists, attacked for their unyielding devotion to their faith, they still swell with pride when it comes to the Motherland Religion. No, take everything, but not the Faith.

Out of that stubborn tradition has come the 264 th successor of St. Peter. He is like them. A struggler, a fighter, a quarry worker, a factory hand. Rising in his Church to the Office of Prince, he never forgot his roots, or those who would tear them from the ground. They wildly cheered him in Krakow as the Worker Cardinal Wojtyla. He belonged completely to them.

At 38, he was clear choice for the purple -- an infant Bishop. But young episcopal voice was strong. The Communist overlords were denounced for their conniving ways. Religious education of children was none of their business. Materializing and secularizing Polish culture was blatantly wrong. And their condescending down-nose look at the Polish worker was meat for his voice and his pen. The miners should not be pushed to a condition of such impossible fatigue that family and faith suffered. And industrial laborers should not be overworked or given farm animal treatment.

He stood firm for them all. And more, he led them in the struggle.

In 1976, his visit to the U.S. was another occasion to speak for the oppressed. New nations rise up waving banners of freedom. But what of the old? Don't forget their struggles and place Poland proudly first.

His Polish brothers will feel his loss, but the universal Church has gained. Sweat on worker's brows on every continent will feel the tender ministry of this Worker Pope. He knows their tears. He was there. He will not forget.

With ease, he stole the coveted name. To a world still mourning John Paul the First, he paternally became the Second. His life style says he will be like him. With perhaps less of the famous smile, the down-to-the-dusty-earth approach will be the same.

When he speaks of Polish non-compromising struggles, he speaks of the Polish spirit. East and West may now tighten relationships, may now look calmer at each other. But no easy companionship should be expected by those seeking dominance in the name of a godless philosophy.

After four-and-a-half centuries of Italian papacies, this new father has come to us out of the East. We can expect him to be wise, to be pastoral, to be open. His first words said it all. He leads with the help of God and man.

The Worker Cardinal has become the Worker Pope!