The Soviet Union controlled East Germany and East Berlin from the end of World War II to the fall of the wall in 1989.  During the height of the Cold War, the Soviets decided to erect a structure in East Berlin that would be a testament to Communism's success.

They decided to erect a Television tower very close to the Berlin Wall.  The tower stretches more than 1,000 feet into the air.  A round, observation sphere sits at about 600 feet and includes a restaurant. 

As the East Germans and Soviets were planning the tower, they realized, to their embarrassment, that they didn't have the requisite expertise to engineer the project.  So, they secretly transported dozens of engineers from Sweden to do the work.  This was kept quiet for decades, as it would have been a blow to the pride of communism to admit that the tower was only completed through the skills of capitalist engineers.

Shortly after the tower was completed, a problem arose.  Every time the sun was shining, the reflection of the sun caused a Cross to appear on the sphere in the center of the tower.  Of course the Communists (avowed atheists) were none to happy about the Christian symbol on their tower.  And so a series of projects ensued to change out the glass of the sphere and to repaint the other panels.  Nothing was successful.

As a result, the tower is referred to as "the Pope's revenge". 

Even today, on a sunny day, the Cross is clearly evident.




The image of the Cross is very clear, in person.  This photo doesn't quite do it justice.

The story reminds me of an adage that my cousin, Carol Rhodes, gave to me:  "Man plans and God laughs".
I'm guessing God is still chuckling over this one.