Mourning a great European

For Poland and Germany, Wladyslaw Bartoszewski was one of the defining figures of the 20th century. But he was not a man of yesterday in the least: When I visited him last year in his office at the Chancellery in Warsaw, he was more alert and inspiring than many contemporary politicians, despite his advanced age. Quick-witted, entertaining and wise - no one knew more about Polish-German relations than he did.

Wladyslaw Bartoszewski was a perfect democrat, a fighter for freedom and a man of reconciliation. His faith and his humanity, coupled with a sharp intellect, made a deep impression on me.

The sadness felt at the passing of this great European is immense, and rightly so. But he leaves behind a legacy of hope: Resistance to injustice is worth it in the end! In Germany and Poland, it wasn't Hitler or Stalin who won - but the democrat Wladyslaw Bartoszewski.