The Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II to Manitoba took place on September 16, 1984, as part of Pople John Paul II’s visit to Canada in 1984. The Pope made his way to Winnipeg after having visited Toronto. His first stop in Winnipeg was at the Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, where he met with 1200 Ukrainian Catholics. Next, he attended St. Mary’s Cathedral for the noon prayer, where he was presented with the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation Award for his efforts in encouraging humanitarian uses of technology, science, and medicine. Finally, he led an open-air mass at Birds Hill Provincial Park, attended by 150,000 to 200,000 people, at which he spoke in English and French, praised Canada for its cultural diversity, and called attention to the need for recognition of language rights.
Source: “The Pope in Canada,” Toronto: Key Porter Books, 1984.

Items removed for artefact collection:
2 plastic peach / pink bib-style vests, with the words “USHER” printed on one and “CAPTAIN” on the other. Used to usher people during the visit event.
A gold medallion/coin imprinted with an image of Pope John Paul II, and the words “Joannes Paulus II Pont Max // Visite du Pape Papal Visit 1984.” Housed inside a burgundy leather case with the words “Visite du Pape/ Papal Visit Canada 1984” printed in gold on the inside lining fabric of the case.
Silver medallion/coin imprinted with the face of John Paul II on one side and the Alberta coat of arms on the other, and the words “Pople John Paul II// Alberta Papal Visit 1984.” Held inside a clear plastic coin preserver case.

Books/publications removed for library collection:
Newsweek, October 30, 1978. “A Polish Pope.”
Time, October 30, 1978. “John Paul II.”
Jan Pawel II i Polonia, Wydawnictwo specjalne Tyowarzystwa Lacznosci z Polonia Zagraniczna “Polonia” z okazji trzeciej wizyty Papieza Jana Pawla II w Polsce. Warszawa: Interpress, [1987].