Predictably, the Polish press is excited about the arrival of Pope John Paul II on his ninth visit to his native Poland.

"Who can say who most eagerly awaits the event - the Poles or the Pope himself," says the national daily, Zycie.

The visit can be described as an internal pilgrimage with a strong spiritual foundation

Renato Boccardo -trip organiser

It says that not only the ancient city of Krakow, but also "the whole of Poland is gripped by eager anticipation".

"Perhaps he will visit his old apartment?", the paper wonders, noting the personal dimension of the pontiff's trip.

Sentimental journey

Another national daily, Gazeta Wyborcza, kicks off by saying the Pope will spend most of his visit "in his beloved Krakow".

Some churches will be open all night on Saturday

But the paper hastens to add that the trip will be far more than just a "festival of crowds and memories", as an Italian journalist put it this week.

It quotes Renato Boccardo, organiser of the papal pilgrimages, as saying on Vatican radio that "this is not just a sentimental journey".

The Pope after all has a number of important religious commitments - even though they are all connected with places intimately associated with his past.

"It seems to me that the visit can be described as an internal pilgrimage with a strong spiritual foundation," Boccardo says.

The same paper asks if the Pope will touch on political matters - such as Poland's proposed integration within Europe.

Politics? Probably not

Gazeta Wyborcza

"Politics? Probably not," it says - adding that Prime Minister Leszek Miller would dearly love his eminent guest to back EU membership plans.

"But Vatican officials are saying unofficially that the premier will be disappointed," the paper says.

Rzeczpospolita makes the same point.

"The Pope will probably not have anything to say about a European referendum. Nor will he offer politicians any specific advice on how to solve the nation's urgent social or economic problems."

Switch off your mobiles

Gazeta Krakowska

The message will be more general, one of spiritual hope for "Poland and the world", the paper says.

"Vatican circles stress that the most important aim of the visit is not a journey into the past, but a vision of the future."

No cream cakes

The Krakow daily Gazeta Krakowska is full of practical hints on how to enjoy the visit in safety.

"As usual during papal visits there will be a prohibition," the papers says, referring to a ban on the sale of alcohol over 4.5% in strength.

The paper also issues a warning: "Be careful with food." To reduce the risk of food poisoning, cream cakes, ice cream and salads with mayonnaise may only be sold in restaurants - not at bakeries and take-away outlets.

Other useful tips include: Leave you cars at home, and - during Sunday's outdoor mass in Krakow - "Switch off your mobiles."

Another Krakow daily, Dziennik Polski, concentrates on religious matters.

It reminds people that during the visit, special vigils will be held in churches to pray for the Pope.

"Some churches will be open all night on Saturday-Sunday," the paper says.

"We are waiting! We are waiting," says one headline, echoing the mood of the nation.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.