The Holy Father spent his “day off” on Aug. 13, 1993, celebrating a Mass with Bishops and Cardinals from around the U.S. at Denver’s own Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception; after all, it’s not every day that the Pope is in our own backyard! Look closely at the photos and you might recognize the familiar face of our very own Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, who was a priest in Denver at the time! The pope also paid a visit to the beautiful Camp St. Malo, where he reveled in the splendor of the Rocky Mountains. Also on that day, the Holy Father would lead a powerful Way of the Cross procession around Mile High Stadium.
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Pope John Paul II, bishops, cardinals co-celebrate morning Mass at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register)
Pope John Paul II, bishops, cardinals co-celebrate morning Mass at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register)
Pope John Paul II, bishops, cardinals co-celebrate morning Mass at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register)
Pope John Paul II, bishops, cardinals co-celebrate morning Mass at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register)
Does that priest look familiar? Then-Father Samuel Aquila was in charge of liturgy during the Holy Father's visit to Denver. (File photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register)
Pope John Paul II visits the St. Malo Retreat Center to take in the solitude of the Rocky Mountains and gain strength for his busy World Youth Day visit to Denver. Photo by Richard Thorpe.