CAPE GIRARDEAU DOCTOR MEETS WITH POPE

After meeting the pope in person for the third time last week, Dr. Richard Kies of Cape Girardeau said it is still hard to believe the events were real.

"It's almost like meeting someone mythical," said Kies, who was in Poland last week during Pope John Paul's 13-day tour of the country.

Kies, an opthamologist, has met the pope twice in Rome and now once in Poland, more by chance than plan.

The first meeting occurred almost seven years ago, Kies said, when he took his first trip to Poland on behalf of the Polish-American Congress based in Buffalo, N.Y. A medical colleague of Kies' had invited him to visit the country with other doctors to provide surgical services and, when available, medical equipment.

One of the members of the congress who was traveling with the group made inquires about gaining an audience before the pope in Rome. Although the process was lengthy, Kies said, the visit was arranged, and the group traveled from Poland to Italy.

Kies recalled how the group waited on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on a Sunday until finally being ushered into the Vatican. After two changes of rooms, they formed a semi-circle in one room. A few moments later the pope appeared.

"He walked around the entire room, and we all kissed his ring," Kies said. "We all gave him little gifts. I offered him a picture of Cape Girardeau."

The visit lasted about 20 minutes, then the pope left, Kies said.

On a second trip to Poland, Kies' group made another journey to Rome. This time they awaited him inside St. Peter's Basilica, near the altar, in front of thousands of others, Kies said.

Once again the pope gave the group special recognition, walking around a semi-circle they had formed, greeting them.

These meetings have been unlike any others, Kies said, including a sit-down, hour-long discussion with then Polish President Lech Walesa.

"It was just not the same with Walesa as it was with the pope," Kies said. "There's an indescribable tranquility about him."

Although Kies said he will always remember his introductions to the pope, the medical service he has been able to provide to the Polish people has more longlasting value.

"If you look at them historically, they have always been oppressed at one side or another," he said. "When they are left to themselves, they are a very industrious, prosperous people."

His last meeting with the pope on June 7 holds more meaning than the others, Kies said, since his wife and 10-year-old son were able to meet him, too.

"I was left speechless," said Kies' wife, Becky. "He is just the greatest man in the world."

Also traveling with the family were Bill and Marybeth Kapp, also doctors from Cape Girardeau.

This last meeting was much more by chance than the others. Kies and his group had stood by a bishop's residence in the town of Turin for almost an hour and a half as others assembled along the street, waiting for the pope to arrive. One man in the group suggested crying out "holy father" as the pope made his way into the residence to get his attention.

It worked, and the pope came over to the group, and shook each member's hand.