In 2025, it marks 32 years since the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to the Yucatán Peninsula. The late Supreme Pontiff was the last Pope to grace the region, leaving an indelible mark on its spiritual and cultural history.
The announcement of the visit was made on March 2, 1993, sparking anticipation throughout the state. Pope John Paul II arrived in Yucatán on August 11 and 12, staying overnight in Mérida. His visit commenced after being received at Mexico City’s airport by then-President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. From there, the Pope traveled to Izamal, where he met with representatives of the Ethnic Groups of the Americas.
During his time in Izamal, the Pontiff appreciated the charm of the Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town). He then proceeded to Mérida, where he presided over a Mass at the Eucharistic field of Xoclán. Following the event, then-Governor Dulce María Sauri Riancho bid farewell to Pope John Paul II on behalf of all Mexicans. In his honor, the same site of the Mass became home to a park bearing his name.
This reflection on the papal visit arrives amid the recent passing of Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, on April 21, 2025. Pope Francis was the first Latin American to serve as the Catholic Church’s highest representative, further embedding the connection between the region and the broader Catholic community.
Source: Por Esto
