USA: POPE ARRIVES IN ST. LOUIS

exposingthejesuits
Published on Jul 4, 2021
(27 Jan 1999) English/Nat

Pope John Paul II arrived in Saint Louis on Tuesday for his fifth visit to the United States and was greeted by President Bill Clinton and the First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The pontiff immediately addressed issues such as racism in the U-S and how Americans could show more compassion to less fortunate people in the world.

Pope John Paul II arrived in St. Louis today for his fifth visit to the U-S mainland and immediately compared America's old battles over racism and slavery to new ones over abortion and euthanasia.

"America faces a similar time of trial," he said.

President Bill Clinton and the first lady joined 500 families in a National Guard hangar at Lambert Airport to greet the pope on his seventh papal trip to the United States.

John Paul flew in from Mexico City after a triumphant, five-day visit.

President Clinton greeted the pope in glowing terms.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We honour you for helping to lead a revolution of values and spirit in Central Europe and the former Soviet Union, freeing millions to live by conscience, not coercion, and freeing all of us from the constant fear of nuclear war. We honour you, for standing for human dignity, human rights, and religious freedom. And for helping people define the courage to stand up for themselves from Africa to Asia to the Western Hemisphere."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President

At the airport ceremony - the start of a 30-hour stay in St. Louis, following his triumphant five-day trip to Mexico - he also called upon Americans to consider those less fortunate than themselves.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"At the same time I know that you will hear my plea, to open wide your hearts to the ever increasing plight and urgent needs of our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout the world."
SUPER CAPTION: His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Then the pope and the president met privately, while Hillary Clinton greeted cardinals assembled for the pope's
visit.

The pope has criticised U-S policy on the death penalty, abortion and economic sanctions against Cuba and Iraq, and on Monday the Vatican condemned an American missile attack on Iraq.

In a statement, spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the bombing confirmed the pope's view that military measures are no solution to international disputes.

The differences shouldn't dampen the pope's welcome for the visit. As many as 600-thousand people were expected to turn out.

More than 530-thousand Catholics live in the St. Louis area.

One nun could not contain her joy at seeing her spiritual leader.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Elated, awesome, just delighted that he has arrived safely and that he will be with us for almost 48 hours.
(Q:Have you seen the Pope before?)
A: "I saw him in Yankee Stadium in New York about 20 years ago and just to compare he was much more physically vibrant then, and yet all of the gifts that God has given him, his charism, are stronger than ever and more beautiful then ever."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

On Wednesday, he is scheduled to celebrate Mass before over 100-thousand people at the Trans World Dome.

He also is to take part in an evening service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis before departing leaving the city on Wednesday night.

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