My dear Casaroli. According to the rules, I need a Secretary of State.
Agostino Cardinal CasaroliYes you do. And I would be happy to assist in the matter as I had the honour of serving Pope Paul VI.
And that is why I want you to be my Secretary of State.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
Oh. Holiness, no, no, no. Those were other times. I would be inadequate. You don't need me.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
But why?
You are tactful in ten languages, a master diplomat, deeply loyal. And as I have noticed on occasion, you have strongly held opinions that would not necessarily agree with mine. With God's blessing between the two of us, the scales will balance.
[pause. Casaroli smiles]
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
[to the pope] Be cautious with matters dealing with religious freedom.
[meeting with Andrei Gromyko]
AGAndrei Gromyko
Five minutes. I believe the Catholic church cause great importance to the strengthened of peace, to the supplement, and to the liquidation of weapons of mass destruction.
Yes, yes. We are in accord with all of that, of course. But, Mr. Gromyko, let me ask you one thing. Is it possible that the obstacles to religious freedom have not been entirely removed from every area of your country?
[Gromyko turns to talk to his associates, he turns back to the pope]
AGAndrei Gromyko
From the earliest days, the Soviet state has guaranteed freedom of religious belief.
[pause]
That is more or less what they thought.
In the next thirty days, you have twenty nine separate speaking engagements.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
And you've emphasized how you must finish your first and second one.
Nevertheless. The mission of the church is to implement the precepts of Vatican II.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
But I implore, your Holiness. Could we start implementing it somewhere other than Mexico?
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
[pause] Anywhere but Mexico and Poland.
Mexico is constitutionally anticlerical. For one hundred years priests and nuns have not been allowed to wear their robes and habits in public. Can you imagine? In Mexico, the church does not exist... [accidentally knocks off a piece of cheese from his plate. He goes down to pick it up while his aide tries to get it for him] In Puebla, in January. The Latin American bishop's conference is taking place. We should send someone, don't you think?
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
Yes, Holiness. But that someone does not have to be you.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
Well, may I remind, your Holiness, [the pope puts the piece cheese back onto his plate] that the Holy See does not have relations with Mexico and may I make one other point: We have not been invited.
My dear Casaroli. You're a man of great wisdom and imagination.
[the pope's aide, who is standing behind, nervous that the pope will knock the piece of cheese off his plate again, quickly grabs the cheese from his plate]
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
Well, I imagine that we could avoid the problem entirely if you went as a private citizen.
[looking around the table] Did you see my cheese?
[arriving in Warsaw, Poland]
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
You're a pope who cannot help his nature. You will tell the truth, and I will support you.
[Cardinal Wyszyński walks up the platform, embraces the pope and kisses his hand]
Welcome home, Father Karol. Holiness, your people are in the streets waiting to greet you.
[on President Reagan] And so, we decided to work together, to do our best to make that dream come true.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
And part of that dream is Poland.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
In these times, Holiness, that can be difficult. Perhaps unwise.
The Communists have imposed Martial law, while Lech is rested. I must go back to keep the dialogue open! To prevent bloodshed!
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
We care about your blood! There are unconfirmed reports that the man who shot you, was hired by the Communist party of Bulgaria.
[stops Casaroli, pause] I must speak with Wałęsa.
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
[sighs] I will arrange it, Holiness. But it will be unofficial. [smiles]
[smiles] Thank you very much. [laughs]
Pope John Paul II · 47 quotes
