Pope John Paul II, 1984. Archdiocese Archives Photograph Collection. ARCAE-24-12-PA-0048.

In 1984 the Archdiocese was blessed by the visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II, a beloved shepherd who had a profound impact on the lives of Catholics around the world. The Pope’s 12-day visit to Canada brought many Canadians face-to-face with him for the first time.

Upon arrival at the Namao airport, the Pope met a small number of dignitaries including Archbishop Joseph MacNeil, Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed, Saskatchewan Premier Grant Devine, and Chief Jim Omeasoo of the Simpson band. Leaving Namao base in his 'popemobile', he was greeted by over 100,000 people who cheered the pontiff’s arrival. The procession arrived at St. Joseph’s Basilica where he led an inter-faith service for more than 1100 clergy. That same evening, at the Grey Nuns’ Centre, he blessed a replica of the first cross built in Alberta by Fathers Modeste Demers and Norbert Blancet, who both arrived in Fort Edmonton in 1835. The replica is currently located at Fort Edmonton Park.

On Monday the Pope held a mass attended by an estimated 125,000 people at Namao Base. There, the Pope delivered a passionate speech criticizing the nuclear arms race and questioning nuclear deterrence; he also criticized the wealthy countries of the First World, saying that they will be judged by those whose food, freedom, and rights they have taken away. The mass ended with Pope John Paul II telling the crowd “the mass is over, go in peace,” and further remarking that “Canada is a big country. It is almost a continent. It is sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy, and (a long, delighted pause) sometimes windy!”