In “Memory and Identity,” his last book, John Paul II wrote: “it would be ridiculous if I thought it was the Pope who overthrown the communism himself.” And, yet it is certain that the “unbelievable year of 1989” would not have materialized so quickly and without bloodshed if there were no Polish Pope; the Pope, who personally saw and experienced the totalitarianism of the 20th century; the Pope, who came from this country where “Solidarity” was born.
Europe ceased to be divided, began again to breathe with two lungs. And, for the first time to the Vatican came with a visit to the Pope a man, who was holding two positions as a president of the Soviet state and a general secretary of the KPZR.
It’s been seventy years since the October Revolution. The first impression was that this event may have seemed to seal an epochal collapse; the failure of one of a political-ideological, socio-economic systems. That is a failure of the Marxist utopia of making a paradise on the earth and the removal of God from the consciousness of man.
Nevertheless, it was a gesture of courage from the Soviet leader. Gorbachev was welcomed to the Vatican with great dignity. And, that’s because the Holy Father saw the great importance of this visit. He saw a change, or at least the beginning of changes. He prepared for the meeting through prayer and later told Gorbachev about it. And he, Gorbachev, confirmed that he realized that something needs to change, that it can’t be like that forever. He knew the social doctrine of John Paul II and on this occasion confirmed that he was very impressed by the Pope’s personality. He invited him to make a visit to Moscow. The Holy Father thanked him but said that he would like to get an invitation from the Orthodox Church as well. He did not want to have a purely political visit. It was a really historic meeting. But, also a confirmation, or at least hope that something new can be built on the ruins of the Wall.
At the permission of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “At the side of the Saint”
St. Stanislaus BM Publisher, Kraków 2013
