When visiting the United States in 1987, St. John Paul II expressed great admiration for the country, but also gave a gentle warning.
He explained that if the United States wanted to remain a country that had true and lasting peace, it must follow a basic guide for renewal.
The best traditions of your land presume respect for those who cannot defend themselves. If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life! All the great causes that are yours today will have meaning only to the extent that you guarantee the right to life and protect the human person:
1feeding the poor and welcoming refugees
2reinforcing the social fabric of this nation
3promoting the true advancement of women
4securing the rights of minorities
5pursuing disarmament, while guaranteeing legitimate defense
6all this will succeed only if respect for life and its protection by the law is granted to every human being from conception until natural death.
He reiterated that last one and expanded upon it.
This is the dignity of America, the reason she exists, the condition for her survival-yes, the ultimate test of her greatness: to respect every human person, especially the weakest and most defenseless ones, those as yet unborn.
St. John Paul II
John Paul II believed in the greatness of the United States, but saw it needed to treat all humans with respect and dignity, especially the unborn.
If the United States were able to do that, then it would survive the test of time.
And today we celebrate...