The reverse of the note shows an episode which occurred during the Holy Mass for the inauguration of the pontificate of John Paul II and depicts a special relationship between the Pope and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. As the Cardinal paid homage, John Paul II rose and performed a memorable gesture to express his respect to the Primate of Poland. On the right-hand side of the scene there is a quotation from Letter to Poles read out by John Paul II to his countrymen who congregated in Vatican Paul VI Hall on the day immediately following the event: There would be no Polish Pope on this Chair of St. Peter [...] if it was not for your faith undiminished by prison and suffering, your heroic hope [...]. The space under the quotation bears the Pope's facsimile signature and date he uttered those words on, namely 23 October 1978. It is worth noticing that this year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński's death and the 50th anniversary of his release from prison. An outline of the Jasna Góra Monastery under the text is to emphasize the role of the shrine in the history of Poland and life of the Holy Father and the Primate of the Millennium. The bands beneath their feet bear their Episcopal mottos, namely Totus Tuus - the motto of John Paul II and Soli Deo - the motto of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. A watermark depicts a papal coat of arms as one of the most distinctive emblems associated with John Paul II. Both sides of the note feature a theme of Peter's keys bound by a string.

The face of the note contains a portrait of John Paul II holding his pastoral cross against the background of a stylized globe, which is a symbol of the pontificate's universal nature. The Pope is wearing his pontifical vestments and is performing a greeting gesture. In his hand, he is holding a crosier - a symbol of papal power. The right-hand bottom side of the note contains the following inscription: John Paul II" and the pontificate's term: 16 X 1978 - 2 IV 2005.