At the Angelus prayer concluding the celebration of the Epiphany, Pope Leo XIV turned his attention to the thousands gathered in Poland for one of the country’s most beloved public expressions of faith: the Procession of the Three Kings.

A Papal Greeting for Poland

“I greet the Polish pilgrims, as well as the many participants in the Three Kings’ Procession that is taking place today in Warsaw and in many cities of Poland, and also in Rome,” the Pope said. “I wish every good to all of you!”

For years, this tradition has drawn extraordinary crowds, transforming city streets into living scenes of the Gospel and creating a unique atmosphere of joy, unity, and public witness across Poland.

A Living Nativity in the Streets of Poland

On January 6, the Church celebrates the Epiphany, one of the oldest and most important feasts of the liturgical calendar, marking the end of the Christmas season. In Poland, the feast comes alive in a striking way.

Colorful crowds fill the streets as trumpets and horns echo through the winter air. People of all ages walk together in nearly one thousand cities and towns, many wearing crowns, cloaks, and bright costumes. Among them are shepherds, angels, the Holy Family, and the Three Kings themselves. The city becomes a living Nativity scene.

For many participants, taking part has become a cherished family tradition. One participant explained simply, “We are playing the shepherds because it’s just our tradition and [it’s] not the first time, but it’s already our tradition in our family.”

Another organizer highlighted the deeper meaning behind the event. “Today we celebrate it in many places across Poland to underline the significance of this day,” the participant said. “We have been organizing our procession for 18 years.” Referring to this year’s theme, they added, “The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Hope fills me with joy.’ In doing so, we want to honor the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis and recently concluded by Leo XIV.”

Volunteers and amateur actors take on biblical roles, often participating with entire families. One long-time participant shared their joy: “This is our 17th time actually, but every time we have a different role. So that’s why we are very happy because we can change roles and it’s always nice to have a role in this big occasion.”

What does “Epiphany” mean?

The Feast of the Epiphany dates back to the third century, originating in Egypt and the Eastern Churches as the celebration of Christ’s manifestation to the world. Its name comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation.”

In the procession, the biblical story is told simply and publicly: the Three Kings follow the Star to Bethlehem, and everyone is invited to walk with them, becoming witnesses to God made man.

As one participant explained, “We want to invite all of you to watch and be happy because Jesus is alive and he is our King. And we want to show to all over the world that Jesus is our King.”

What began as a local initiative in 2009 has grown into a global movement. Laypeople, priests, teachers, students, scouts, and entire parishes now collaborate in its organization. This year alone, around two million people took part. Among them were the President of Poland and his family in Warsaw, as well as local authorities in other cities.

For many, the procession is a profound encounter of faith. “It is a beautiful experience,” one participant said. “In fact, it is an encounter with people who believe in the same things we do, who want to meet the Lord Jesus.”

Others describe deeply personal moments, such as one couple who took part as the expectant Holy Family. “We were invited last year to take part as the expectant Holy Family, when I was carrying our child,” the participant shared. “We highly recommend this experience to couples in the later stages of pregnancy.”

Today, the Three Kings’ Procession extends far beyond Poland, reaching cities across Europe and even continents, including the United States, South America, and Africa.

More than a celebration, the procession stands as a joyful testimony of faith—uniting communities, proclaiming hope, and bringing the Christmas season to a memorable close by living the Gospel in the streets of the world.

Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Video Edited by Gianluca Gangemi