The history of Guatemala has been marked by historical moments with the presence of the most influential leader of the Catholic Church. Each encounter with the Holy Father has left a deep mark of faith, hope and blessing in the country, turning each visit into a memorable fact.
The three visits of the papal leader have strengthened the spiritual ties between the Guatemalan believers and the Holy See, in addition to opening a cultural gap and a historical legacy that Guatemala shares with the world.
The first papal visit to Guatemala
42 years ago, Guatemala first received a Pope. In 1983, Pope John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) arrived in the country in a context marked by the internal armed conflict, during the mandate of General Efraín Ríos Montt, who had come to power through a coup d’etat, according to historical records.
On the night of March 6, 1983, Pope John Paul II landed at the La Aurora International Airport. Following his traditional gesture of blessing, he kissed the Guatemalan ground on his arrival and was received by the then President Ríos Montt.
From the airport to zone 1 of the capital, the Pontiff was accompanied by hundreds of faithful who, in their path, adorned the streets with sawdust carpets to decorate the papamobile route, while John Paul II greeted the Guatemalans.
His visit had as its main purpose the coronation of the Virgen del Rosario in Quetzaltenango; However, it acquired a deeper meaning for the population, which found in its presence a message of hope in the middle of the war.
Before his arrival, the “Traveling Pope” had sent a historical message addressed to Guatemala, in which he advocated peace and reconciliation in a polarized nation and affected by rural violence exerted under the de facto regime.
In his message, the Pontiff said: I advocate on behalf of all the victims who continue to suffer the scourge of the fight between brothers, who strengthen the forces of good will to achieve the peaceful social coexistence.
With this, he showed his solidarity and compassion towards the Guatemalans.
Despite his words, days before the visit, the Government of Ríos Montt executed six people accused of terrorism, ignoring the calls of the Vatican and causing international repercussions.
According to files from the free press newspaper, Ríos Montt justified the visit by stating: the Pope is a head of state and as such comes to Guatemala. Here are freedom of cults and everyone who wants can come.
During his stay, Juan Pablo II maintained a diplomatic tone. He did not refer directly to the executions and focused his message on a massive mass held in front of the Military Court.
Subsequently, on March 7, he traveled to the department of Quetzaltenango, where he crowned the Virgen del Rosario before a multitude of faithful and religious leaders. On March 8 he concluded his visit to Honduras.
Second visit of John Paul II to Guatemala
At 16.37 hours of February 5, 1996, Pope John Paul II once again stepped on Guatemalan soil. It was received by hundreds of faithful who had gathered on the track of La Aurora International Airport. Following his characteristic gesture, the Pontiff kissed the earth, this time that two children took him symbolically to bless their places of origin.
The visit, scheduled from Rome, responded to the celebration of the fourth centenary of devotion to the Holy Christ of Esquipulas. The arrival of the Pontiff was again a reason for joy and emotional applause by the Guatemalan people.
According to journalistic free press records, at 16.43 hours the Pope began his journey from the plane of the plane to the main entrance of the airport. At 16.49 he was officially received by the then President Álvaro Arzú and his wife, Patricia de Arzú.
The first words of John Paul II were recorded by the newspaper library: the Lord, owner of history and our destinations, wanted the fourth centenary of devotion to the Holy Christ of Esquipulas to offer me the opportunity to find the beloved Guatemalan people again, and so many people from the sister countries of Central America.
Accompanied by carpets, cheers and prayers, the Pontiff toured the city from the airport to the Plaza de la Constitución, where it would meet with ecclesiastical authorities. Despite the characteristic cold of the time, the faithful waited with fervor along the Liberation Boulevard and the 7th Avenue, in areas 9 and 1, until they reached the square. The Pope arrived at 7:30 p.m. and was enthusiastically received by the crowd. He later met with government officials in the National Palace.
On February 6, the Holy Father traveled to Esquipulas, where he was received by hundreds of faithful. There he celebrated a massive mass in the Mary Valley and then visited the Basilica, where he raised prayers before the image of the Black Christ.
This visit was developed within the framework of the peace process that ended the internal armed conflict. In addition to presiding over the closure of the celebrations for the fourth centenary of the image of the Christ of Esquipulas, John Paul II crowned Our Lady of the Assumption as Patroness of Guatemala City, thus closing a visit of deep spiritual and social meaning for the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jli4fhr-c
Last papal visit in Guatemala
With the aim of canonizing Blessed Brother Pedro, Pope John Paul II visited Guatemala on the third and last time on July 29, 2002. The Pontiff arrived at 14.20 hours at La Aurora International Airport, where it remained more than half an hour inside the plane before descending through a special bridge prepared for the occasion. He was received by then President Alfonso Portillo and his wife.
The Holy Father moved to a platform where, in a broken voice, he delivered a brief speech and offered a blessing prayer for the Guatemalan people, especially for peasants, the sick, the indigenous peoples and the most vulnerable people. In addition, he pointed out that José de Betancur’s canonization would be a moment of renewal for the country.
The example of his life and his message are a valuable contribution to the construction of a society that now opens up to the challenges of the third millennium, proclaimed the Supreme Pontiff, according to free press records.
I fervently desire that the noble Guatemalan people, thirsty for God and spiritual values, anxious of peace and reconciliation both in their bosom and in the neighboring and brothers, solidarity and justice villages, can live and enjoy the dignity that corresponds to him, added from the airport.
Subsequently, in his traditional Papamóvil, Juan Pablo II toured the city of Guatemala. In his wake, ill excited they expected to see him, adorning the streets with carpets and chanting: he feels, feels, the Pope is present!
The day concluded in the Apostolic Nunciature, where the Holy Father spent the night.
Canonization ceremony of Brother Pedro
The morning of July 30, at 8.30 am, the Pope John Paul II landed at the Mateo Flores National Stadium Racecoursewhere it was received by more than 750 thousand people between applause and songs of faith.
Under a gray sky and among thousands of white roses, The Pontiff proclaimed Brother Pedro de San José de Betancurculminating a beatification and canonization process that took 304 years. During his homily, he highlighted the spirituality of the new saint and urged the indigenous people and all the Guatemalan people to build a future based on justice, peace and development.
Despite his fragile state of health, John Paul II personally read all his homily, interrupted multiple occasions by the applause of the attendees. The act incorporated expressions in Mayan languages and traditional offerings, reflecting the deep cultural miscegenation of the country.
Before concluding the celebration, the Holy Father left a phrase that was recorded in the memory of the Guatemalans: “Guatemala, I take you in my heart.” With those words, Pope John Paul II marked the spiritual legacy of his last visit to the country.
Proclamation of Holy Brother Pedro by Pope John Paul II in 2002.