Polish breeder presents the Holy Father with a white Arabian horse

16/10/2025
Culture

After the white motorbike and the electric car, the Holy Father has now received another remarkable gift, a white purebred Arabian horse. The stallion, named Proton, was presented to Pope Leo XIV by Andrzej Michalski, founder and owner of the Michalski Stud Farm in Kołobrzeg-Budzistowo, on Poland’s Baltic coast.

“The idea was born when I saw the Pope riding a horse in Peru. He had mastered horse riding to perfection there, riding in a distinctive, cowboy-style saddle,” Mr Michalski told British Poles during an exclusive interview.

“I thought then that I would love to give him a magnificent Arabian, one worthy of the Holy Father. And white, of course, to match the papal cassock,” Michalski added.

For Michalski, it was his way of expressing gratitude and of responding to the Pope’s frequent appeal to strengthen love through concrete acts rather than words.

Proton comes from a distinguished lineage: his sire hails from the United States, and his dam was purchased from a Jordanian princess.

Born at the historic Janów Podlaski stud, the foal was later acquired and raised by Michalski at his own stables. “He moves beautifully and has an exceptional presence,” the breeder said with pride.

“The horse left Poland on Monday morning. It rested in Germany and Austria, then was transported to Rome. By 5:00 a.m., it was at the gates of the Vatican. When it entered the courtyard of the Vatican Gardens at 7:30 a.m., the Holy Father was already waiting, which is most unusual. It was something truly extraordinary. We had struck upon his passion!” Mr Michalski told British Poles while describing the practical part of the trip.

The presentation took place just before the Wednesday general audience in St Peter’s Square.

“The Pope was overjoyed we led the horse together,” recalled Michalski. “He was visibly pleased, and we were deeply moved.”

During the encounter, a letter from the breeder was read aloud, describing the activities of his stud farm and asking for a blessing as the centre prepares to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary next year.

In his letter, Michalski referred to Pope Leo XIV’s recent apostolic exhortation Dilexi te, quoting the Pope’s own words:

“Love and our deepest convictions must be strengthened, and this is done through gestures. To remain in the world of ideas and discussion, without personal, frequent and sincere gestures, would destroy our most precious dreams.”

“I wanted my gesture to respond to that appeal,” Michalski wrote, “and to contribute, in some small way, to the mission Your Holiness undertakes for today’s world and for the Church.”

The Michalski Stud Farm is known not only for breeding and training horses but also for its longstanding commitment to hipotherapy, the therapeutic riding for people with disabilities.

“When I worked with people with disabilities, the hipotherapy sessions at Andrzej Michalski’s centre proved invaluable, especially for children with mobility impairments,” said Anna Mieczkowska, Mayor of Kołobrzeg, who also travelled to the Vatican for the occasion.