In this episode of the Breakout with Newt Gingrich podcast, Newt discusses his trip to Rome
where he and Callista witnessed Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II being canonized as
saints. Pope Francis led the Mass, while his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI sat close by.
Pope John Paul XXIII called the Second Vatican Council in 1962, which led to reforms that
modernized the Church. Pope John Paul II was instrumental in the fall of communism in Eastern
Europe. In June 1979, he returned to his native Poland for nine days and celebrated Mass with
millions of his fellow Poles. His pilgrimage to his native country demonstrated to the Polish people
that they did not have to be afraid of their oppressive government and that God was always by their side.
For more on Breakout, tune in to this podcast each week, and read Newt’s new book, Breakout.