To what extent did the pope influence the Russians, where he has generally had little impact due to the Russian Orthodox Church's sway? Wasn't the pope, John Paul II, much more influential in eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, which was his homeland?

Question

To what extent did the pope influence the Russians, where he has generally had little impact due to the Russian Orthodox Church's sway?  Wasn't the pope, John Paul II, much more influential in eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, which was his homeland?

drwls · Answer

Pope John Paul II had little influence on Russians, but his influence in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, had a lot to do with ending Soviet domination of the Warsaw Pact countries. Since the Soviet Union broke up, there been a resurgence of religion in Russia and some eastern Orthodox countries also.

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