Pope John Paul II Flashcards
How did the Polish Pope, John Paul II make a significant contribution to ending the CW?
By inspiring Catholics in EE and providing moral support for the Polish trade union Solidarity
When were Pope John Paul II’s visits to Poland?
1979, 1983 and 1987
Give an example of how Pope John Paul II’s visits to Poland were enormously popular
Some 12 million Poles saw the Pope on his 1979 tour
What did Pope John Paul II’s visits to Poland clearly indicate?
That Catholicism rather than communism commanded public loyalty
What did the Historian Michael Burleigh describe the Pope’s 1979 Polish visit as?
A ‘gigantic anti-communist plebiscite’
What did the Pope reject?
The Polish regime’s claim that the Catholic Church had no social role
What happened in January 1981?
Lech Walesa, the Solidarity leader and a devout Catholic, was blessed by the Pope in Rome
Give an example of one of the Pope’s speeches
‘Do not be afraid’ in 1979
What did the Pope’s speeches encourage?
Anti-communists and made the Polish people more self-confident
Where did Catholicism attract wide support?
In Poland and the Baltic state
Why did Catholicism have less impact elsewhere in EE?
It had to compete with Protestantism, the Orthodox Church and secularism
