Pope John Paul II2005

Agostino Cardinal Casaroli:
[to the pope] Be cautious with matters dealing with religious freedom.

[meeting with Andrei Gromyko]

Andrei Gromyko:
Five minutes. I believe the Catholic church cause great importance to the strengthened of peace, to the supplement, and to the liquidation of weapons of mass destruction.

Pope John Paul II:
Yes, yes. We are in accord with all of that, of course. But, Mr. Gromyko, let me ask you one thing. Is it possible that the obstacles to religious freedom have not been entirely removed from every area of your country?

[Gromyko turns to talk to his associates, he turns back to the pope]

Andrei Gromyko:
From the earliest days, the Soviet state has guaranteed freedom of religious belief.

[pause]

Pope John Paul II:
That is more or less what they thought.