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“The city of the broad shoulders became the city of the open arms,” declared the Tribune when Pope John Paul II visited in October 1979. An estimated 750,000 people lined the motorcade route 10 deep as it passed through the “heart of America’s largest Polish-American community” on the Northwest Side. After a short stop at a church in Pilsen, the pope was again greeted by “a sea of 200,000 faces” at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, a Polish church in Brighton Park, for a special open-air Mass. After the morning Mass, the pope traveled to Grant Park, where an estimated 1.5 million people were waiting for him. Here, the sound of the violins of the Mount Prospect Suzuki Players greeted Pope John Paul II at O’Hare International Airport on Oct. 4, 1979.
Cardinal John Cody, left, watches as Pope John Paul II embraces a girl who presented him with a bouquet at O'Hare International Airport on Oct. 4, 1979, when the pontiff arrived in Chicago.
Cardinal John Cody, left, watches as Pope John Paul II embraces a girl who presented him with a bouquet at O’Hare International Airport on Oct. 4, 1979, when the pontiff arrived in Chicago.
Lorna Fleming and her family wear special red T-shirts to greet Pope John Paul II on Oct. 5, 1979, at Milwaukee and Ardmore avenues in Chicago.
Lorna Fleming and her family wear special red T-shirts to greet Pope John Paul II on Oct. 5, 1979, at Milwaukee and Ardmore avenues in Chicago.
Raising a gift bouquet above the open top of his limousine, Pope John Paul II greets a crowd estimated at 70,000 at Providence of God Roman Catholic Church at 717 W. 18th St. on Oct. 5, 1979. The 10-minute visit to the Pilsen neighborhood, during which he spoke to the crowd in Spanish and English, was the start of the pontiff's first full day in Chicago. The pope's motorcade then proceeded to Five Holy Martyrs Church, where he celebrated Mass in Polish, passing Visitation Catholic High School along the way.
Raising a gift bouquet above the open top of his limousine, Pope John Paul II greets a crowd estimated at 70,000 at Providence of God Roman Catholic Church at 717 W. 18th St. on Oct. 5, 1979. The 10-minute visit to the Pilsen neighborhood, during which he spoke to the crowd in Spanish and English, was the start of the pontiff’s first full day in Chicago. The pope’s motorcade then proceeded to Five Holy Martyrs Church, where he celebrated Mass in Polish, passing Visitation Catholic High School along the way.
A group of women dressed in traditional Lithuanian costumes stands in front of Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979, waiting to catch a glimpse of Pope John Paul II, who was visiting the hospital at 2701 W. 68th St.
A group of women dressed in traditional Lithuanian costumes stands in front of Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979, waiting to catch a glimpse of Pope John Paul II, who was visiting the hospital at 2701 W. 68th St.
Chicagoans watch along Garfield Boulevard on the Southwest Side for Pope John Paul II to drive past on his way to an open-air Mass on Oct. 5, 1979.
Chicagoans watch along Garfield Boulevard on the Southwest Side for Pope John Paul II to drive past on his way to an open-air Mass on Oct. 5, 1979.
Along the stretch of Milwaukee Avenue that Pope John Paul II would travel on his way downtown from O’Hare International Airport, Arlene Mondack hangs a welcome sign in October 1979. The Latin inscription “Totus tuus” is John Paul’s motto, meaning “Completely yours,” a reference to his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Crowds jam the streets and parking lot surrounding Five Holy Martyrs Church at 43rd and Richmond streets on Oct. 5, 1979, to hear Pope John Paul II celebrate an open-air Mass in Polish to a mostly Polish crowd.
Crowds jam the streets and parking lot surrounding Five Holy Martyrs Church at 43rd and Richmond streets on Oct. 5, 1979, to hear Pope John Paul II celebrate an open-air Mass in Polish to a mostly Polish crowd.
Pope John Paul II conducts an open-air Mass in Polish at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church at Richmond and 43rd streets on the morning of Oct. 5, 1979. The Mass was held in the parking lot and surrounding streets of the largely Polish neighborhood. The pope would then travel to Grant Park for another, larger mass in the afternoon.
Pope John Paul II conducts an open-air Mass in Polish at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church at Richmond and 43rd streets on the morning of Oct. 5, 1979. The Mass was held in the parking lot and surrounding streets of the largely Polish neighborhood. The pope would then travel to Grant Park for another, larger mass in the afternoon.
Pope John Paul II raises a chalice during a mass communion at Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979, during his short visit to Chicago.
Pope John Paul II raises a chalice during a mass communion at Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979, during his short visit to Chicago.
The crowds at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church are held back by police officers on Oct. 5, 1979, before the open-air Mass conducted by the visiting Pope John Paul II. The morning service, which was conducted in Polish, was held in the parking lot of the church near Richmond and 43rd streets in Chicago.
The crowds at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church are held back by police officers on Oct. 5, 1979, before the open-air Mass conducted by the visiting Pope John Paul II. The morning service, which was conducted in Polish, was held in the parking lot of the church near Richmond and 43rd streets in Chicago.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd during an open-air Mass at Chicago's Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd during an open-air Mass at Chicago’s Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd from his limousine during his visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd from his limousine during his visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
An overview of the crowds and main platform where the open-air Mass was celebrated at Grant Park during Pope John Paul II's visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
An overview of the crowds and main platform where the open-air Mass was celebrated at Grant Park during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
Huge crowds greet Pope John Paul II on the Northwest Side during his 1979 visit.
Huge crowds greet Pope John Paul II on the Northwest Side during his 1979 visit.
The crowd at Grant Park for an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II was said to be the largest crowd ever to have gathered in the historic Chicago park.
The crowd at Grant Park for an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II was said to be the largest crowd ever to have gathered in the historic Chicago park.
Pope John Paul II is greeted by hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans who flocked to see him on his trip to the city in October 1979.
Pope John Paul II is greeted by hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans who flocked to see him on his trip to the city in October 1979.
An aerial view of Grant Park during Pope John Paul II's visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
An aerial view of Grant Park during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II greets the crowd gathered at Grant Park for an open-air Mass on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II greets the crowd gathered at Grant Park for an open-air Mass on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II speaks at Holy Name Cathedral on Oct. 5, 1979, during his visit to Chicago.
Pope John Paul II speaks at Holy Name Cathedral on Oct. 5, 1979, during his visit to Chicago.
Pope John Paul II waves his last farewell to Chicagoans before boarding a helicopter in Lincoln Park on Oct. 6, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves his last farewell to Chicagoans before boarding a helicopter in Lincoln Park on Oct. 6, 1979.
Ethnic pride overflowed as Chicago greeted the Polish Pope on Oct. 4, 1979. Nancy Chmura, 4, and her older sister Helen, 10, donned national costumes as they waited to see the pope.
Ethnic pride overflowed as Chicago greeted the Polish Pope on Oct. 4, 1979. Nancy Chmura, 4, and her older sister Helen, 10, donned national costumes as they waited to see the pope.
Pope John Paul II makes a brief appearance in the court yard of Holy Name Cathedral after the Chicago Symphony concert on Oct. 5, 1979, in Chicago.
Pope John Paul II makes a brief appearance in the court yard of Holy Name Cathedral after the Chicago Symphony concert on Oct. 5, 1979, in Chicago.
The Pope gives a young child a kiss as young girls in first communion white dresses await their blessing during a Mass at Five Holy Martyrs Church in Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
The Pope gives a young child a kiss as young girls in first communion white dresses await their blessing during a Mass at Five Holy Martyrs Church in Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II travels through Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979, during his first visit to the city as pope.
Pope John Paul II travels through Chicago on Oct. 5, 1979, during his first visit to the city as pope.
Sister Evangelist came all the way from Billings, Montana to see Pope John Paul II on Oct. 5, 1979, in Chicago.
Sister Evangelist came all the way from Billings, Montana to see Pope John Paul II on Oct. 5, 1979, in Chicago.
People camp out in Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979, the night before Pope John Paul II would speak at the park during his visit to Chicago.
People camp out in Grant Park on Oct. 5, 1979, the night before Pope John Paul II would speak at the park during his visit to Chicago.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd gathered in his honor as he drives through the city of Chicago during his visit on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves to the crowd gathered in his honor as he drives through the city of Chicago during his visit on Oct. 5, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves from his motorcade as it travels along Nagle Avenue in Chciago on Oct. 4, 1979.
Pope John Paul II waves from his motorcade as it travels along Nagle Avenue in Chciago on Oct. 4, 1979.