Pope John Paul's historic 48 hours in the Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, Sept. 15-16, 1987
by Al Antczak
In his historic 48-hour visit to Los Angeles Sept. 15-16, 1987, Pope John Paul II impacted a wide spectrum of people. He met and spoke to youth, school children, communications industry leaders, the bishops of the U.S., representatives of non-Christian religions, and, through TV, millions of Southern Californians. He was seen personally by an estimated million persons who lined the route of his seven-mile motorcade through the heart of the city as he traveled to St. Vibiana's Cathedral. To the Southland, John Paul proclaimed; "l come to you in the name of Jesus. l come as a pilgrim in the cause of justice and peace and human solidarity - striving to build up the human family."
To 6000 of his "dear young people" at Universal Amphitheater he spoke about hope. "We cannot live without hope. We have to have some purpose in life. Some meaning to our existence." This hope, he said, comes from God. "l would invite each of you to listen carefully to God's voice in your heart."
To leaders of the communications industry, the heads of ABC, CBS, NBC and major film studios, John Paul said, "You are stewards of an immense spiritual power... All the media of popular culture that you represent can build or destroy, uplift or cast down. You have untold possibilities for good, ominous possibilities for destruction."
To the U.S. bishops meeting at San Fernando Mission, he issued an admonition to uphold Church doctrine in the face of dissent and the secular culture. To leaders of non-Christian religions, he said it was his conviction that for the good of the human family we must use every opportunity to show love and respect for one another in the spirit of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II document on ecumenism.
To 103,000 persons at a Mass in the Coliseum, he implored that they be "the compassionate neighbor to those in need," especially immigrants.
After John Paul's departure, Archbishop Roger Mahony of Los Angeles wrote in The Tidings his impressions of the Holy Father: (1) "l was overwhelmed at the depth of prayer and of communion with God which was obvious at every moment." (2) His great love and affection for all people, especially the young and ill, all supremely evident as he moves among the people." (3) He walked among us as pastor and teacher, ever reminding us of our faith tradition, proclaiming afresh the good news, challenging us to renew our total and complete discipleship to the Master." (4) He called us to a more profound sense of unity.
And to the people who saw him, who felt his presence, there remained the impression of a holy man of great energy and stamina - sustained by grace and a strong Polish constitution.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.