In her paper the author undertakes to analyse one of John Paul II’s statements pertaining to literature and culture. This is a letter prepared and submitted on the occasion of a death anniversary of Jan Kochanowski (aka John of Czarnolas) (1530–1584). Since the beginning of his pontificate, John Paul II – by means of references to literature – would indicate what was valuable, common, essential for his compatriots. Therefore it can be assumed that his words have acquired a culture-creative dimension. The sociological and literary dimension of the message is definitely worth appreciation. The pope would address his words to anyone and everyone. The author defines and analyses the pope’s utterance as transgressive. Also in its structure the Pope’s utterance is transgressive, comprising a variety of different forms which are adroitly linked owing to the open mind of the sender who is a sender knowing that verba volant, scripta manent.
Key words: John Paul II, literature, transgression, culture, Jan Kochanowski, creative work, poetry