1987 Year in Review

Ken Herrera: The most traveled Pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church paid his second visit to the United States in 1987, a more-than-weeklong trip that spanned the continent and evoked a variety of emotions, as UPI Radio’s Rob Navias explains …

"(Music.)"

Rob Navias: "September 10th, Miami International Airport, a President and a Pope stand side by side at the start of the second U.S. visit by John Paul II, a ten-day tour that would take the Pope to 9 cities and over 12,000 miles to complete.

"President Reagan welcomed the Pontiff to America under a blazing sun amidst tight security …"

President Ronald Reagan: "'Americans of every kind and degree or belief will wish Your Holiness well, responding to your moral leadership.'"

Rob Navias: "Weary from his trip from Rome, but eager to start his journey through the U.S., John Paul told the President Americans represent the best of what is good in the world … "

Pope John Paul II: "'The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. God bless America.'"

"(Applause.)"

Rob Navias: "The Pope’s trip was punctuated by controversy, Catholic groups and members of the clergy urging the Pontiff to be more flexible in his interpretation of the teachings of Jesus. But the Pope faced two groups who wanted action and not dialogue in Miami and San Francisco: the Jews and Catholic women ...

Unknown Speaker 1: "'We strongly urge once again that full and formal diplomatic relations be established between the Vatican and the State of Israel.'"

Unknown Speaker 2: "'I expect to be treated as a mature, educated and responsible adult.'"

(Music and singing.)

Rob Navias: "It was a remarkable ten days, the Pontiff claimed tourist and apostle all at the same time; an expensive adventure for the American Catholic Church, a critical piece of public relations for the Vatican in its effort to keep the American Catholic Church and its flock from wandering too far.

"This is Rob Navias."