Heroes of Western Civilization:
76 Years After the Warsaw Uprising

"The People of Poland, the People of America,
and the People of Europe still Cry Out
We Want God"

Heroes of Western Civilization:
76 Years After the Warsaw Uprising

A little over three years ago, President Trump delivered one of the most important speeches of his presidency at Krasinski Square in Warsaw, Poland. Standing before a monument to the Warsaw Uprising, he called for defending Western civilization against all enemies who seek to destroy it. In that speech, President Trump honored the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising, who rose up and took arms against their Nazi oppressors 76 years ago on August 1, 1944. In vivid detail, the President recounted the story of the defenders of Jerusalem Avenue and their struggle to hold that vital strip of land in defense of Polish freedom.

The heroes of the Warsaw Uprising remind us, President Trump said, “that the West was saved with the blood of patriots; that each generation must rise up and play their part in its defense; and that every foot of ground, and every last inch of civilization is worth defending with your life.”

The President also paid homage to Pope John Paul II, a lifelong champion for religious freedom. The Pope’s nine-day pilgrimage to Poland in June 1979 changed the course of history and helped set in motion a chain of events that led to the downfall of Communism in Europe.

“And when the day came on June 2nd, 1979, and one million Poles gathered around Victory Square for their very first mass with their Polish Pope—that day, every Communist in Warsaw must have known that their oppressive system would soon come crashing down,” President Trump said.

Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s message of hope and courage in the face of oppression, the Polish people united in spiritual determination. The President noted that millions gathered to hear the Pope’s sermon, where they joined in a single prayer of three simple words.

“We want God.”

This year, on the 41st anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s historic pilgrimage, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to the John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C. The President once again honored the Polish Pope’s contribution to ending oppression and reaffirmed America’s commitment to liberty for all people.

Pope John Paul II was a beacon of hope and strength to peoples oppressed by a brutal Communist regime. The Pope’s heroic defense of freedom, as well as the valor of the Polish patriots of the Warsaw Uprising, remains an example to freedom-loving people the world over.

Honoring their legacy, President Trump continues to fight for religious liberty both in the United States and across the world. He unwaveringly defends both the sanctity of life and human dignity. On the same day as his visit to Pope John Paul II’s shrine in June, the President signed an executive order committing the United States to advancing religious freedom worldwide—calling it “America’s first freedom” as well as “a moral and national security imperative.”

President Trump understands that religious liberties are not a creation of the state. They are “a gift of God to every person and a right that is fundamental to the flourishing of our society.”

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In May 1984 US President Ronald Reagan had meeting  
with John Paul II in Fairbanks, Alaska

In June 2004, US President George W. Bush presented
the Presidential Medal of Freedom to John Paul II

In April 6th, 2005, US President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card pay their respects to Pope John Paul II as he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope John Paul II born Karol JózefWojtyla 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was elected pope by the second papal conclave of 1978, which was called after Pope John Paul I, who had been elected in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. Cardinal Wojtyla was elected on the third day of the conclave and adopted the name of his predecessor in tribute to him.John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe.

John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as the right to life, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, and although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation.

He was one of the most traveled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 and canonized 483 people, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death, he had named most of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated many of the world's bishops, and ordained many priests.