Pope John Paul II pleaded “on behalf of all the victims who continue to suffer the scourge of fighting between brothers, that all forces of good will be strengthened to achieve peaceful social coexistence.”
He said the above at 9:24 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, in Guatemala, after having listened to the welcome message presented to him by the president of the republic, General Efraín Ríos Montt, who, accompanied by his cabinet, waited for 20 minutes for the arrival of the Alitalia plane, which was transporting the Pope. The ship touched down on Guatemalan soil at 8:47 p.m., and 13 minutes later John Paul II appeared in the plane door.
As he has done during his visits to other countries, the Pope also knelt here to kiss the Guatemalan soil, after which he headed towards where General Ríos Montt was, who within the rules of protocol came forward, accompanied by his wife, to present his greeting, an act that was carried out in the middle of the scarlet carpet.
In his welcome speech, Ríos Montt said: “We are honored to express our gratitude for the honor that your presence confers on us. Your visit is like fresh water for the thirsty, good news that comes from afar, and we hope that your stay in our hurt nation has the significance that Your Holiness intends.”
A carpet of more than 10 kilometers was spread along the route of the popemobile, made by devotees and volunteers from brotherhoods and pastoral groups.
One million faithful
A crowd unprecedented in the history of the country endured the burning sun for more than five hours to attend the mass that the Pope celebrated on March 7 on the Champ de Mars. Huge columns of parishioners, leaving from different parts of the city, began to walk from 11:00 p.m. on Sunday towards the Campo de Marte, where the mass was held.
At 9:50 a.m., aboard the popemobile, His Holiness arrived, amidst the enthusiasm and cheers of the crowd who anxiously awaited the moment of having him near.
In Quetzaltenango
More than half a million people gathered at the Llanos de Olintepeque airfield to receive with great joy the Vicar of Christ, John Paul II. Faithful arrived from neighboring departments, even from Mexico.
The Holy Father set foot on Quetzaltecan soil at exactly 16 hours and 4 minutes. He traveled aboard a helicopter. He celebrated mass and during the homily asked for improvements in education and health for indigenous Guatemalans.
Before crowning the Virgin of the Rosary, patron saint of Quetzaltenango, John Paul II placed a rosary that he brought from the Vatican on the Child carried by the Virgin of the Rosary, as a sign of faith and veneration. This, which was not contemplated in the program, brought tears and applause from all the faithful gathered. Next, he knelt, kissed the hands of the Virgin of the Rosary and proceeded to crown her. The joy was indescribable.
*With information from notes of editions 9740 and 9741
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This note is part of the commemorative series of our diamond wedding, it is a journey through news that marked the history of Guatemala, with original texts and images from each era, as a reliable testimony of our mission of service.