“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Within three years of those famous words from then-President Ronald Reagan in 1987, the Berlin Wall came crumbling down and communism along with it. Of course, it is well-known even to those who are not religiously inclined that the fall of communism can be more accurately attributed to the relentless spiritual influence of St. John Paul II on the Western World.
Recently, in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has failed to make much of an impact in attempts to bring together the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians. He joins the ranks of many diplomats whose similar efforts have proved fruitless. Nevertheless, this past Sunday Pope Francis visited the region in what he labeled a strictly religious trip and invited both Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and Israeli President Shimon Peres to his “home” at the Vatican for peace talks. Both sides have expressed interest in the invitation. Moments later, in typical “Francis Effect” fashion, the Pope stopped the vehicle he was riding in, made his way over to the wall which Israel has erected (the wall that has been a source of great conflict and discord between the Palestinians and Israel), and silently placed his hand against it. Unlike Reagan’s impassioned political plea, the Pontiff offered nothing more than a pious prayer and heartfelt concern. Following years of failed diplomacy, perhaps it is possible that faith once again will succeed in tearing down the walls that divide.
