paul ii's sermon when a million polish men, women, and children raised their voices in a single prayer. a million polish people did not ask for wealth. they did not ask for privilege. instead, one million polish people saying three simple words. we want god. in those words the polish people recalled the promise of a better future. they found new courage to face down their oppressors, and they found the words to declare that poland would be poland once again. as i stand here today before this incredible crowd, this faithful nation, we can still hear those voices that echo
through history. their message is as true today as ever. the people of poland, the people of america, and the people of europe still cry out we want god. together with pope john paul ii, the polish people reasserted their identity as a nation devoted to god, and with that powerful declaration of who you are, you came to understand what to do and how to live. you stood in solidarity against oppression, against a lawless secret police, against a cruel and wicked system that impoverished your cities and souls, and you won. poland prevailed. poland will always prevail.
so it is with this true admiration that i can say today that from the farms and villages of your country side to the cathedrals and squares of your great cities, poland lives, poland prospers and poland prevails. despite every effort to transform you, oppress you, or destroy you, you endured and overcame. you are the proud nation of copernicus. think of that. chopin, st. paul john ii, poland is a land of great heros.