Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on Pope John Paul II Day

April 2, 2015

OTTAWA – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Pope John Paul II Day:

“Today, on the 10th anniversary of his passing, we take the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the tremendous influence of Karol Józef Wojtyła, Pope Saint John Paul II. Deeply respected by citizens in Canada and around the globe, he is remembered as a leader, a teacher, and a staunch defender of human rights.

“Pope Saint John Paul II played an instrumental role in communism’s downfall in Central and Eastern Europe, most notably in his native Poland, where, from the beginning of his pontificate, his pious leadership helped provide Poles with courage and resilience in the struggle against communist oppression.

“He shared our Canadian principles of liberty and fairness, and worked tirelessly to encourage people of all faiths to work together to create a world unified by hope and peace. It is for these reasons that Liberals at both provincial and federal levels have been instrumental in ensuring his official recognition in Canada.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I encourage all Canadians to live according to the values of freedom and peace – values that were so strongly championed by Pope Saint John Paul II during his lifetime.”