From Authority to Symbol: The Channels, Conditions and Reception of the Post-Memorial Transmission of John Paul II’s Heritage

The heritage of John Paul II (JP2), a widely recognised religious and political leader, remains an important part of Polish heritage. However, the values and teachings he embodied appear to be increasingly disconnected from the younger generation. This study aims to assess whether the memory of JP2 today functions as an internalised heritage among young adults in Poland (aged 29–35) or whether it serves primarily as a symbolic point of reference. Drawing on Marianne Hirsch’s concept of post-memory, the study conducted a representative survey (n = 500) of young adults in Poland. The study constructed an empirical post-memory indicator of JP2’s heritage, incorporating information on the pope and own religiosity. Findings show that the memory of JP2 is primarily transmitted through family, school and traditional media. Other institutional and non-institutional channels of communication play a lesser role. JP2’s legacy exists as a form of cultural memory present within social structures, but it is becoming less and less relevant to the personal identity of young people. This study demonstrates the applicability of Hirsch’s concept of post-memory to quantitative analysis of religious heritage in a post-confessional context.