大象传媒

1979: Pope John Paul II visits the White House

Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit the White House on 6 October 1979.

US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn welcomed the Pope alongside nearly 7,000 government and church dignitaries.

Around 40,000 people had gathered to see the Pope hold a mass for 1,000 priests at St Matthew鈥檚 Cathedral in Washington.

President Carter spoke of the Pope鈥檚 devotion to the enhancement of human rights, and described him as a 鈥渕an of courage who has inspired the world.鈥

大象传媒 Archive: Originally broadcast on 6 October 1979.

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