In one of the larger demonstrations, 70, 000-odd Solidarity trade unionists surrounded the offices of Leszek Miller's Social Democratic government.

ECONOMIST: Poland's government

The SLD leader Leszek Miller has promised to make life better for average Poles left behind in the country's post-communist boom.

BBC: Economic tests for new Polish regime

The Pope also met President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Prime Minister Leszek Miller.

BBC: Pope pleads for peace and mercy