Popes wear white; cardinals wear red

How scared were the Soviets of forceful voices for freedom? This scared:

New documents found in the files of the former East German intelligence services confirm the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II was ordered by the Soviet KGB and assigned to Bulgarian agents, an Italian daily said on Wednesday.

The Corriere della Sera said that the documents found by the German government indicated that the KGB ordered Bulgarian colleagues to carry out the killing, leaving the East German service known as the Stasi to coordinate the operation and cover up the traces afterwards.

Bulgaria then handed the execution of the plot to Turkish extremists, including Mehmet Ali Agca, who pulled the trigger.

Following President Reagan's death, he received widespread recognition for his role in the Soviet Union's collapse. I hope John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher and Lech Walesa are also remembered for their courage during this time, as well.