World Report: February 5, 1999 Vol.4 No.l6
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
St. Louis Welcomes The Pope
With a hoarse voice and shaky hands, Pope John Paul II, 78, spoke to hundreds of thousands of his followers last week. The Pope, the religious leader of the world's Roman Catholics, visited Mexico and the U.S. He spent five days in Mexico and 30 hours in St. Louis, Missouri. It was his fourth trip to Mexico, his seventh to the U.S.
In Mexico City, adoring crowds stood for hours to catch a glimpse of the Pope. "I feel like a Mexican," he told a cheering crowd at a huge rally in a stadium.
During his short visit to St. Louis, John Paul met with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. More than 100,000 people filled the seats of a football stadium and nearby convention center to hear the Pope's message of brotherhood, peace and respect for life.
Governor Mel Carnahan was one Missourian who took Pope John Paul's message to heart. During his visit, the Pope pleaded for the life of a death-row prisoner. Even those who have "done great evil," said the Pope, should be spared. Carnahan changed the prisoner's death sentence to a life sentence.
