This week, 31 years ago, Pope John Paul II made his fifth pastoral visit to the United States. This trip was especially important to the Pope as it marked the 8th edition of World Youth Day, which took place in Denver, Colorado.
The theme of the historic event was from the Gospel of John: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.” And it included touching moments like this one, when the Pope greeted a boy with disabilities.
Holy Father, I love God. Thank you.
In the months leading up to this first World Youth Day in the United States, Denver was experiencing what the media referred to as a “summer of violence.” Terrifying crime plagued the Colorado city and caused many to believe that the turnout for the event would be low.
But the violence is said to have nearly ceased during the 5 days of World Youth Day. And final numbers revealed that over 750,000 people had gathered to worship alongside Pope John Paul II.
The Pope went on to visit the United States two more times throughout his pontificate and held four more World Youth Days around the world.
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