Pope acted over hunger strike: Margaret Thatcher's recollections of a turbulent decade at the helm of the Conservative Party and Britain are published today
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MRS THATCHER enlisted the help of Pope John Paul II in trying to bring pressure on the Maze prisoners to end their first hunger strike in the winter of 1980, writes Donald Macintyre.
She reveals that at a meeting with the Pope on 24 November during a visit to Rome she explained the circumstances of the hunger strike.
His Holiness, she says, 'had as little sympathy for terrorists as I did'.
The Vatican subsequently put pressure on the Irish Catholic hierarchy, which then issued a statement calling on the republican prisoners to end their fast.
However, that statement also urged the British government to show some 'flexibility' in its treatment of the Maze inmates' demands.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments