In a mission of unity and peace, John Paul II preaches to a nation at war
It began in a morning of pomp and smiles, not just another page in Vatican travelogues but an undeniably special moment in history. Winding through London's Westminster Cathedral came a procession of robes crimson and scarlet, gold-embroidered, black and white, with plumed hats and swords of the old English orders strutting into this unexpected tapestry of medieval drama. At the heart of the panoply, and at the heart of the substance of the opening of this six-day event, was the red-robed figure of John Paul II, the Pope of love, controversy and ecumenical vision. Sitting on the cathedral's high-backed throne, with high-ranking British clergy standing beneath and beside, was the Pope of Rome, whose claims to authority covered both heaven and earth. Yet this was a down-to-earth Roman Pontiff, who had gamely come to Britain in the face of a nasty South Atlantic war and a persistent antipapal spirit in the British Isles. Said John Paul, simply: "Today, for the first time in history, a Bishop of Rome sets foot on British soil." With that, applause from the congregation of 3,000 rolled through the cathedral. "My deep desire," the Pope said, as the eyes of his audience welled with emotion and tears, "my ardent hope and prayer is that my visit may serve the cause of Christian unity."
His first words upon arrival at Gatwick Airport captured his extraordinary, characteristic boldness. "My visit is taking place at a time of tension and anxiety," he said, though not mentioning the Falkland Islands by name. He pointedly appealed for prayers for peace. But besides that ever fiercer war with Argentina, where he now plans to travel next week, John Paul spoke to the religious conflict of the centuries. For the Pope was visiting a nation that symbolizes, perhaps as no other, rebellion against the papal office.
Outside the neo-Byzantine cathedral, more than 5,000 people jammed Victoria Street. Typically, the Pope worked the barricades, reserving his warmest enthusiasm for children. Most onlookers were Catholics—England is only 10% Catholic—but Protestant Housewife Val Weatherbee remarked: "A man of peace in a land of war." Added another, "I'm not a Catholic, but I believe this is my only chance to see an authentic saint."
John Paul's charisma exuded its warmth in the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at St. George's Cathedral later that afternoon. There, 4,000 ailing, disabled or dying parishioners watched in gratitude as the Pope personally administered the holy oil to many hands and foreheads of the seriously ill.
Later that day, during an address to the Catholic hierarchy of England and Wales, John Paul made a moving plea for peace, saying that he was in close union with the bishops of both Britain and Argentina. Said he: "Together, my brother bishops, we must proclaim that peace is possible."