Pope in open challenge to Poland's martial law – archive, 12 June 1987

12 June 1987: The meeting of John Paul II and the leader of Solidarity, Lech Walesa, is a turning point for the post-communist future of the country

The Pope came to Poland's Baltic coast last night, and confirmed what he called the important reality of the term solidarity' and its eternal significance."

Speaking once again to a rapt audience of a million or more, each one hanging on his every word, he declared: The word solidarity' was uttered right here, in a new way and in a new context. And the world cannot forget it."