John Paul II Had Major Role in Fall of Communism

The Polish president recalled the role of Pope John Paul II in the fall of communism in the former eastern block.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski on Thursday recalled in Gdansk, the birthplace of the Solidarity Union, the crucial role Pope John Paul II had in the fall of communism in Poland and the rest of the eastern block. 

- Pope John Paul II played an enormous role inspiring changes in the past twenty years – Kaczynski said, recalling the “triumph” of Solidarity at elections on June 4, 1989, exactly 20 years ago.

- The large structure of Solidarity was not created because somebody planned it, but because people were sick of living without freedom – the Polish president said.

The main ceremony of marking the 20th anniversary of victory over communism is being held in Krakow in the presence of senior officials of countries of the former communist block, as well as in Gdansk.