1979: Pope John Paul II visits the White House
Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit the White House on 6 October 1979.
US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn welcomed the Pope alongside nearly 7,000 government and church dignitaries.
Around 40,000 people had gathered to see the Pope hold a mass for 1,000 priests at St Matthew鈥檚 Cathedral in Washington.
President Carter spoke of the Pope鈥檚 devotion to the enhancement of human rights, and described him as a 鈥渕an of courage who has inspired the world.鈥
成人快手 Archive: Originally broadcast on 6 October 1979.