” “"The blood shed on the streets of Poznan not just by workers, but also by students, women and children has not been useless. Actually it has been the sowing of the freedom whose fruit, years later, has been the fall of the Stalinist system and full sovereignty to the Nation": it was the central part of Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the Polish Bishops, on the last few days, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the labour revolt of Poznan, the first brave insurrection against the Communist regime in Poland which back then belonged to the Soviet bloc. A huge manifestation was held in Poznan with about 100 thousand labourers walking in the streets, protesting and asking for "bread and freedom". The regime was heavy-handed, gave order to fire on the crowd and killed 58 protesters, with hundreds of people arrested. In his message, the Pope exhorted the Poles "to build society on the eternal Christian values, on truth and authentic justice". Benedict XVI’s message was read to the authorities present at the ceremony by Stanislaw Gadecki, metropolitan archbishop of Poznan.” “
