Winnipeg marks 40 years since visit from Pope John Paul II
It was a day many Winnipeggers will never forget -- on Sept. 16 1984, Pope John Paul II became the first and only pope ever to visit Winnipeg.
Forty years ago, the pontiff was met by local dignitaries and clergy as he arrived for his one-day visit.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
That year the pope made history, becoming the first pope to touch Canadian soil.
His Winnipeg visit was part of a 12-day tour across Canada, which kicked off in Quebec City and included stops in eight provinces and dozens of addresses.
The busy day in Winnipeg started with a visit to a Ukrainian cathedral where the pope held a special prayer.
Thousands lined up as the papal motorcade then travelled through downtown to St. Mary's Cathedral.
There, Pope John Paul II received an award for his defence of human rights, freedom and justice.
He ended his day in Winnipeg with a giant outdoor mass at Birds Hill Provincial Park where he called on officials to improve conditions for ethnic minorities.
"By the wisdom of our leaders and the integrity of our citizens, may harmony and justice be secured and may there be lasting prosperity and peace,” he said.
In total, Canada has seen four papal visits -- three by Pope John Paul II and one by Pope Francis.
However, Sept. 16, 1984 was the only time a pope visited Winnipeg.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Thousands of miles from home, Trudeau learns of dissension in his caucus
The free trade agreement with ASEAN is expected to be signed at the end of 2025. If Trudeau is pressured to step down, or if his government falls and loses the next election, Trudeau will not, as prime minister, be there to see the fruits of his labour.
Trump suggests a protester may get 'the hell knocked out of her' by her parents
Former U.S. president Donald Trump called for a protester at one of his rallies to 'go back home to Mommy' to 'get the hell knocked out of her,' his latest instance of using violent language when confronted by demonstrators.
Here's the dirt on the germiest items in your day-to-day life
Your home – considered to be one of the safest havens from all the external stresses – is filthy.
Court untangles 'bizarre mess' that allowed Vancouver duplex owner to pay off mortgage after foreclosure, sale
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled on a case she describes as a "bizarre mess" in a decision issued earlier this week.
Man, 37, stabbed and killed on Montreal metro platform
A man died of his injuries after an altercation that escalated on a platform at Guy-Concordia station on Saturday night.
Liberals announce new campaign director amid new push to oust Trudeau
The Liberal Party has named Andrew Bevan as its new national campaign director for the next federal election. The announcement comes as party continues to face lagging polls and as party leader Justin Trudeau is facing new pressure to step aside.
Ottawa bylaw officer struck by driver after altercation in ByWard Market
The woman was taken to hospital and is said to be in stable condition, paramedics say.
Drone strike in Israel wounds more than 60 as Hezbollah claims responsibility
A drone strike hit central Israel on Sunday, wounding more than 60 people, some of them critically, rescue services said, in one of the bloodiest attacks in Israel in a year of war. The Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group claimed responsibility, saying it targeted a military camp.
Severe weather has some snowbirds leaving Florida, others battening down the hatches
When Julie Riddell and her husband, Gerry, bought their Fort Myers, Fla., vacation property in 2009, it didn't cross their mind that they might be buying in a hurricane-prone area.