The throng inside the U.N. was pressing against the blue metallic railings. Out front, members of the press corps were clamoring for the Pope's attention. "Say something to him in Polish," a newsman advised, so TIME Religion Reporter-Researcher John Kohan shouted "Niech zyje!" the traditional wish for long life. Sure enough, the radiant white figure acknowledged the salutation and began to approach him. "Niech zyje!" repeated Kohan, who speaks both Polish and Russian, and, he recalls, "a U.N. security guard came at me thinking I was screaming obscenities." Kohan quickly explained his meaning to the guard, but too late. The Pontiff...
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