Vatican City, May 18, 2004 / 22:00 pm
John Paul II had special words for his fellow Poles this morning at the end of his weekly general audience when he reminded them that today is the 60th anniversary of the battle of Monte Cassino, “an event that subsequent generations of Poles referred to with pride.” The heroism of the Polish troops at Monte Cassino paved the way for the allies to enter Rome.
“It became the symbol of the most noble values of the Polish spirit, and above all of the courage and willingness to give one’s life for ‘your freedom and ours,’ said the Pope. “How great must have been the love for country in the hearts of the young people who, in a foreign land shed their blood in hope of its liberation.”
John Paul II, referring to the communist occupation that began at the end of the war, remembered that “after the war we had to wait a long time for this hope to be achieved. Today however we can thank God for this great grace which is the freedom of the Polish people. This is both a gift and a duty for today’s generations.”
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