As we celebrate St. John Paul II's feast day on October 22, it's the perfect opportunity to revisit his life and legacy—especially his efforts to free Poland from communism through a peaceful revolution grounded in the public witness of deep faith.

In this episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, I discuss all things St. John Paul II with Drs. Peter and Kasia Drag, professors at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. They experienced the last gasps of communism in Poland—and share the stark reality of that existence.

We delve into the history of Poland and rise of communism, the tragedies John Paul II faced in his early life under Nazi and Communist rule, and how God raised him to the papacy at just the right moment to begin undoing the Communist regime in Poland…and beyond.

Timecodes:

0:00 — The story of Chris Stefanick's heroic great-uncle standing up to communism
06:36 — History of Poland
08:12 — The “Miracle on the Vistula”
12:27 — John Paul II's childhood tragedies and upbringing under communism
23:31 — Daily life under communism
31:12 — “Nine days that changed the world”
36:15 — The assassination attempt on JPII and Providence at Fatima.
39:36 — John Paul II's ongoing impact
49:13 — How Divine Mercy will change the world

When you look at Poland’s story, you see how God turns suffering into strength. A nation crushed by war, communism, and loss became the cradle of some of the greatest saints of modern times—Maximilian Kolbe, Faustina Kowalska, and John Paul II. Their secret? They allowed grace to transform them in the midst of evil to unleash God’s goodness.

Oppression has the power to raise up saints—and it certainly did that in Poland through Pope John Paul II. But he reminded us that the true spark to renew the face of the earth isn’t a pope or a politician. It’s Divine Mercy—God’s love poured out on a wounded world.

Divine Mercy has the power to tear down walls, topple empires, and heal hearts. It took down the Iron Curtain without a single shot being fired. And if it can break the chains of communism, just imagine what it can do in your own heart.

St. John Paul II, pray for us!

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