KRAKOW, Poland -- Krakow's Commons was awash in the Polish and Vatican colors Sunday as more than two million pilgrims greeted Pope John Paul II to celebrate mass with Poland's favorite son.

The faithful began converging on the area already on Saturday in order to pray in person with the pontiff, who was forced to cancel his large public mass during his previous trip in 1999 due to health reasons.

"I want this visit to bring us peace, because everybody is so nervous today," said Alexandra, a 77-year old Krakow resident.

"They didn't want to let me in, but I wouldn't give in," she said, leaning heavily on her cane and shaking.

The Pope was scheduled to beatify four Poles during the mass -- his largest during his four-day trip home -- including former Warsaw archbishop Zygmunt Felinski, who died in 1895.

The beatification of Felinski, who pioneered Catholicism in Russia after being exiled there after the 1863 Polish uprising against the Tsar, may provoke further tension with the Russian Orthodox Church.

It has long accused the Vatican of proselytism in traditionally Orthodox areas of Russia and the Ukraine.

One of the most poignant moments in the Pope's personal retracing of his steps in a city where he lived under Nazi occupation and later battled the communist regime is expected when the 82-year-old visits his parent's graveside.

Captain Karol Wojtyla of the Austrian Army's 56th infantry regiment is buried at the Rakowicki cemetery in Krakow alongside his wife, Emilie Kaczorowska, who died when their son Karol was only nine.

John Paul will also visit the Wawel Cathedral, where he was ordained in 1946. He became the archbishop of Krakow on December 30, 1963.

He was overcome with emotion on Saturday after consecrating a church in the Lagiewniki area of Krakow, recalling how as young man during World War II he used to walk every day by the site in his wooden shoes on his way to work in a factory.

He also briefly stopped by his home from the period.