Pope John Paul II’s visit to Québec City began with an open-air mass on the sports fields of the Université Laval campus. The crowd was estimated at around 300,000. The image shows the Pope at the altar during his Eucharistic liturgy. He is surrounded by several religious figures, including Msgr. Louis-Albert Vachon, Archbishop of Québec City, on his right.

1984 - 1984

Pope John Paul II visits in 1984

A frequent traveller, Pope John Paul II made Québec City the first stop on his trip through Canada in September 1984, particularly since it was then the stronghold of the Catholic Church in North America. Despite the Quiet Revolution and the decline of Catholicism in Quebec since the 1960s, the Pope was still very popular. He was welcomed by dignitaries, politicians and religious figures, as well as by a large crowd. John Paul II officiated an open-air mass on the Université Laval campus attended by some 300,000 believers. Were you there?

Pope John Paul II says mass in Québec City

Jean-Marie Villeneuve Pope John Paul II’s visit to Québec City began with an open-air mass on the sports fields of the Université Laval campus. The crowd was estimated at around 300,000. The image shows the Pope at the altar during his Eucharistic liturgy. He is surrounded by several religious figures, including Msgr. Louis-Albert Vachon, Archbishop of Québec City, on his right.

Chronoscope Can you identify any other members of the clergy? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1984

OPEN