Video: 'Pope John Paul II historic visit to the USA'

(Wednesday, October 4, 1995, 3:20 p.m. EDT) — Pope John Paul II returned to America today on a five-day mission to strengthen his discordant church in America and press his crusades to undermine materialism and fortify peace in the post-cold-war world.

He was quickly engulfed in a swirl of secular pageantry, police security and religious solemnity, and responded with many of the themes he is expected to reiterate on a five-day visit: urging peace, support for the United Nations, openness to immigrants and a continuation of American social programs for the poor.

It is my prayerful hope that America will persevere in its own best traditions of openness and opportunity,” the Pope declared.