Pope Benedict XVI Blog

La Stampa publishes 1988 interview with John Paul II; his analysis of Communism of 80's

“Secret interview” with John Paul II published in Italy

Rome, Oct. 04, 2005 (CNA) - The Italian daily La Stampa has published a “secret interview” granted by John Paul II in 1988, in which the late Pontiff addressed a variety of issues, including Communism.

Pope John Paul granted the interview to Polish journalist Jas Gawronski on October 11, 1988, during a dinner at the Vatican, but because of a direct request by the Holy Father in the following days, it was not published.

“The interview has remained secret for all these years,” said Gawronski. He said that during his discussions with the Pope, the Holy Father gave an extensive analysis of the state of Communism in the 80’s, noting especially that “even African countries are seeking to forsake the Soviets and their ideology. They no longer want to have anything to do with the inefficiency and unproductiveness of this system. Perestroika means mainly one thing: how to get free from this system.”

“Some have said,” John Paul continued, “that in general Stalin had greater leadership qualities than Hitler. From the moral point of view, both are reprehensible. If Stalin has been better judged, it is simply because Communism had a more profoundly sustained program than National Socialism. National Socialism and Fascism, which were very closely related, were inhumane ideologies, as well as simplistic and superficial. Communism was and will always be recognized as a system that promotes a greater social justice,” John Paul II said during the interview.

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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:09 PM