Pope John Paul II and Mikhail Gorbachev developed a personal relationship that helped improve relations between the Vatican and the Soviet Union, and lead to the eventual opening of the Soviet regime.
In 2014, the current Russian ambassador the Holy See shared this about the meeting between the Pope and the Russian President which took place on December 1, 1989.
ALEXANDER AVDEED
Russian Ambassador to the Holy See
“President Gorbachev was delighted after meeting John Paul II. In fact, he spoke very highly of him. He was impressed by the knowledge the Pope had, by his spirit of virtue. Also for sending his encouragement to the people of the Soviet Union.'
John Paul II's meeting with Gorbachev was an endorsement of perestroika, or reconstruction, the reform the Russian leader put in place which adopted elements of liberal economics. This is what he said in 2003 about the Polish pope.
MIKHAIL GORBACHEV
November 28, 2003
He, like no one else, criticized communism, but he did so as well with modern capitalism.
Their relationship was the research focus of José Ramón Garitagoitia. He published a thesis on John Paul II prefaced by Gorbachev, and has met both of them. He says their relationship is precisely what Pope Francis calls for in Fratelli Tutti.
JOSÉ RAMÓN GARITAGOITIA
John Paul II researcher
It is a clear example of what Pope Francis lays out. As two very different personalities, they are able, through dialogue, to recognize in the other their virtues, values, and interests, and try to put themselves in the place of the other to understand them.
Their example is one of dialogue between two seemingly irreconcilable positions, but which ultimately managed to change the world.
RM
TR: JM
