45 years ago, a pope and future saint visited Anchorage

February 26 marks the 45th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s visit to Anchorage in 1981. Archbishop Francis Hurley announced his visit in January, and introduced the planning committee. It comprised a mix of influential Alaskans, including Governor Walter Hickel, Max Hodel, Larry Dineen, and others. 

They called themselves the Committee for the Civic Reception of Pope John Paul II to Anchorage, Alaska and had only just over a month to plan. They met every other day following Mass and planned for hours. A hotline allowed the public to get minute-to-minute details on the proceedings. 

The Soviet Union did not allow foreign aircraft to fly over their airspace during much of the Cold War. This meant those traveling from Europe to Asia opted for a route across the Western Hemisphere. Anchorage and Fairbanks International Airports served as perfect layovers. The pope was traveling to Asia and Oceania, so his layover was to be in Anchorage. This layover would turn into the largest gathering of people in Alaskan history. 

When he landed, the pope was received by Archbishop Hurley, former Bishop of Fairbanks Francis Gleeson, Bishop of Juneau Michael Kenny, the apostolic delegate, the president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Governor Jay Hammond, and Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan, and others. The pope greeted the crowd around him. 

The pope received many gifts from across Alaska, brought by people who traveled considerable distances to see the pope. From Agnes Mayac, he received a parka. From Ralph Amouak, he received a crucifix carved from walrus tusk. From Sr. Ida Brasseur, S.S.A., he received a moosehide plaque made by the people of Nulato. 

Groups from various parishes across Alaska, including St. Gregory Nazianzen in Sitka, came as well. Cage Holst, a teenager battling cancer, came with Bishop Kenny from Juneau and was able to meet the Pope. 

After landing, the pope was taken to Holy Family Cathedral in a Secret Service vehicle, the crowd following. At the cathedral, he met with the elderly and disabled and delivered an address. He spoke of the importance of being present in the Church and proclaiming the mercy of God to a generation of youth rapidly forgetting it. 

He rode the Popemobile to Delaney Park Strip subsequently and celebrated Mass with around 100,000 in attendance, then about 20% of the state’s population. Even people outside the Church attended.

The Mass saw Bishop Kenny, Bishop of Fairbanks Robert Whelan, S.J., and Archbishop Hurley concelebrate with the pope. Alaska Native deacons assisted as well. 

In his homily, the pope expressed his gratitude towards Alaskans for being so welcoming. He spoke on suffering, how the efforts of Alaskan missionaries bore great fruit, the youth, and the need for priestly and religious vocations as well as the participation of the laity in the apostolate of the Church, saying, “…lay men and women must build up the Church and help consecrate the world.”  

The event was described as reverent, and it deeply affected many gathered there. The significance of a pope’s visit to Alaska as well as Pope St. John Paul II’s demeanor and generosity both appealed to the thousands gathered.

Pope St. John Paul II was famous for his efforts to connect with the youth. Yvette Tousignant, a former teacher in Anchorage, attributes her and her sister’s leadership in faith formation and education to this visit. 

Yvette was just eight when she and five of her siblings, ranging from ages 4–16, were dropped off at their eldest brother’s apartment by their parents, Jean and Paul Tousignant, so they could attend to important business: serving the pope. 

Yvette’s mother, Jean, counted serving as a reader for the pope’s Mass in Delaney Park as one of her favorite memories. Yvette’s father likewise held his memories of ushering the Popemobile, then without bulletproof glass, through the streets of Anchorage in high regard. 

Yvette’s eldest brother, JeanPaul, recalls how surprised he was to have his six younger siblings suddenly dropped off at his apartment. Soon after, he got them all dressed up in snowsuits and led them through downtown to see the pope. JeanPaul recalled being struck not only by how crowded it was to be stuck in the middle of 100,000 people, but also to see his own mother up on the altar near the pope. 

Yvette remembers being amazed at the Mass and when she met the pope in Holy Family parish’s outside garden. She is still amazed, remarking how only the pope could get 100,000 people to “gather on a cold winter day.” She believes that this experience must have inspired her to connect with the youth. 

“You have to connect with the kids,” she said. She underscored the importance of connection for learning, not just in school, but also in faith formation. Connection helps youth retain and engage with what they must learn at a deeper and more permanent level. That’s why she and her sister made sure to take the youth of Anchorage several times to World Youth Day in recent years to connect with the pope, and thus the faith. 

A number of items and memorials are held in the archdiocesan chancery archives, at the Anchorage Museum, and spread out across Anchorage. At Holy Family parish, there is a plaque commemorating the visit. In Delaney Park itself sits a memorial honoring the memory of the pope and Saint who blessed Anchorage with his presence, and was welcomed by Alaskans from across the state.