MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, November 22nd 2024 - 14:24 UTC

 

 

“The main credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall belongs to Pope John Paul II”

Tuesday, November 10th 2009 - 08:29 UTC
Full article 2 comments
Lech Walesa paid tribute to his compatriot John Paul II Lech Walesa paid tribute to his compatriot John Paul II

The main honour and credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall belongs to Pope John Paul II and it is wrong to say it was the work of former Soviet president Mijail Gorbachev said the historic leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement and later head of state Lech Walesa

“What makes me sad today is that we are making heroes out of people who do not have such a condition”, said Walesa over the weekend interviewed by German television and in anticipation of Monday’s celebrations on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

“Gorbachev never wanted to see the end of communism or the Berlin Wall, that was not his way of seeing things”, added Walesa.

“The truth is that 50% of the fall of the Wall belongs to John Paul II, 30% to Solidarity and Lech Walesa and only 20% to the rest of the world. That was the truth then and is the truth now. The Soviet leader might have changed later”.

Polish born Pope John Paul II called on the peoples of Europe “to change the face of the world and his message liberated the people who then forced politicians to sanction changes”, underlined Walesa.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner also explained why the 30% for Solidarity.

“The first wall to fall was pushed over in 1980 in the Polish shipyards. Later, other symbolic walls came down, and the Germans, of course, tore down the literal wall in Berlin. The fall of the Berlin Wall makes for nice pictures. But it all started in the Gdansk shipyards”.

As to his presence in the celebrations he said “I am a politician who played an important role in the reunification of Germany and I was invited to take part in the celebration. It’s not like a piece of candy handed out to a sweet little boy”.

Categories: Politics, International.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Hong

    I do agree with you, Mr.Lech Walesa. Hey wake up, people! How could you forgot the two formers actors: President Reagan and Pope John Paul ll? Once Mr. Gorbachev said: 'It could not happen without this Pope.' In my opinion that God had chosen these formers actors to do His mission. Both of them got would-be assassinations (just six weeks apart) and they survived. Why? Because His mission was not yet over. I believe so, don't you, Mr. Lech Walesa?

    I saw the Pope traveled all around the world wherever he got welcomed. No matter where. He was the Pope with strong faith and tireless plus fearless since he trust in God. To me Papa John Paul ll is:

    A model Saint,
    Salt for the earth,
    A witness for the Light.

    I do pray 'to' him. Ask him to pray 'for' us still on the journey, to follow his foot steps (of Pope John Paul ll). We all:

    Be patient and pray,
    Be strong and brave,
    Be not afraid,
    Have faith and trust.

    Then when our journey ends, we will dance for joy in His home where the feast never ends and the joy is everlasting.

    Nov 11th, 2009 - 01:28 pm 0
  • Hong

    In addition, to prove the Pope is a model Saint is he put God's words into action. He visited his attacker Agca in prison and forgave him. Papa John Paul had done the most difficult commandment: 'To love your enemies.'

    Nov 11th, 2009 - 02:18 pm 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!