South Bend, September 8, 1987
Honecker in Bonn
After several cancellations and delays, the state visit of Erich Honecker in Bonn finally came off. This is the first time that an East German head of state was received in the Federal Republic. But the result of this encounter is rather sobering. At the state banquet, Honecker bluntly told his hosts that in his opinion a capitalist and a communist state are as incompatible as fire and water. Reunification is for him no topic of discussion.
South Bend, September 10, 1987
The Second Pastoral Pilgrimage
Arriving at the Miami International Airport, Pope John Paul II was given a warm welcome as it had rarely been bestowed unto a visitor to America from abroad. President and Mrs. Reagan came to Miami to personally welcome him. The TV networks have adjusted their programs to broadcast the papal visit. With heartfelt words John Paul II responded to the greetings by President Reagan, saying that he has come to America as a friend and a pilgrim for the cause of peace. John Paul II begins today his second pastoral pilgrimage to the United States, which, in the ten days ahead, will lead him through the South and Southwest. The following cities are on the itinerary: Columbia, South Carolina, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Monterey, and San Francisco. He will conclude his pilgrimage in Detroit, Michigan.
September 13, 1987
On his journey through the South and Southwest, John Paul II was spontaneously received with overwhelming jubilation. This was especially true today in San Antonio, Texas. This pastoral pilgrimage has been planned for the predominantly Spanish-speaking South and Southwest of the United States, where nearly half of the approximately 53 million American Catholics live. By the year 2000 the Hispanic population will presumably make up three quarters of Catholics in America. A critical shortage of priests is looming as a pressing future problem on the horizon. It has been shown time and again that this Pope radiates a special charisma. His human kindness, compassion for those who suffer and the poor as well as his convincing call for peace deeply touches people, believers and non-believers alike.
South Bend, September 17, 1987
Constitution Day
200 years ago today, on September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Thereby, one of the great documents in history became reality. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest democratic constitution in the world, having been in effect without interruption since 1787. Eleven years after the Declaration of Independence of 1776, the historical process, which led to the foundation of the United States of America, was completed. The Founding Fathers had crafted the Constitution with legally binding clarity and also with enough flexibility so that over time it could provide legal security to a continent.
South Bend, September 18, 1987
The Long-Awaited Breakthrough
In a surprisingly called press conference at 8 a.m. in the morning, President Reagan with Secretary of State George Shultz at his side announced today that in principle an agreement has been reached between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to dismantle short-range and intermediate-range missiles with nuclear warheads worldwide. This means, concretely speaking, that a substantial reduction of nuclear weapons in Central Europe will be carried out. This is the long-awaited breakthrough in disarmament talks. But not until the treaty is signed, will it be possible to grasp the full extent of this agreement.