Whatever the weather, the Pope drew Canadian crowds in 1984
'I thank you from all my heart for your perseverance,' John Paul II told worshippers
The weather gods didn't smile on Halifax or Toronto for the Pope's visit in 1984, but the faithful came out in large numbers anyway.
Pope John Paul II's papal tour of Canada lasted 12 days, beginning in Quebec City and winding up in Ottawa.
On Sept. 14, Halifax played host — and the rain was anything but welcoming.
"The Pope went to his final event in the Maritimes," said reporter Jim Sunstrum, who was wearing a rain poncho. "Another outdoor mass — another outdoor mass in the rain."
Attendance suffered in Halifax
The camera captured a gust of wind scattering materials assembled at the altar, followed by a spray of rain, as the Pope performed the ceremony.
Sunstrum said organizers had expected 200,000 people to attend the mass, but only 50,000 showed.
"In spite of the downpour most stayed, and the Pope thanked them," said the reporter.
The mass over, John Paul II opened his arms to the audience.
"I thank you from all my heart for your perseverance," said the pontiff, and the crowd cheered.
Muddy mass in Toronto
On the following day, Sept. 15, the Pope held the largest mass of his Canadian visit at Downsview, a Canadian Forces base in north Toronto.
"People started coming during the night, and by dawn the lines went on and on and on," said reporter Dan Bjarnason for The National.
Bjarnason detailed some of the amenities put in place for the occasion: 36 ambulances, 2,400 toilets, and more than 400,000 cheese-on-rye sandwiches.
Big crowds
Worshippers could buy a wide range of goods branded for the occasion, from a $3 cardboard stool to a $175 pendant with a 14-karat-gold chain.
"How many have you sold?" Bjarnason asked as a vendor showed him the necklace in a red velvet box.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think we've sold too many of them," the vendor replied.
If the faithful in Toronto weren't buying, it may have been because they were more concerned with keeping their feet dry.
A thunderstorm had swept through during the night, leaving the site a muddy mess.
"There were scenes that seemed more familiar on a World War One battlefield," said Bjarnason, as the camera showed people walking on slabs of wood to stay out of the mud.
As soon as they got near the site, the throngs were enticed by sales people.
"Learn how to recognize the Pope with a mass program!" shouted a vendor.
