It was the start of a hot and humid Sunday when Pope John Paul II arrived in San Antonio 38 years ago this week, making history as the only papal visit on Texas soil.
The pontiff’s whirlwind Alamo City stop on Sept. 13, 1987, was part of a multi-city, cross-country tour, and it marked his second significant visit to the U.S.
The pope’s plane “Shepherd 1” arrived from New Orleans around 10 a.m. at Kelly Air Force Base, where he was greeted by several dignitaries as mariachi musicians performed. Among those welcoming the pontiff were Archbishop Patrick Flores, Texas Governor Bill Clements and his wife Rita, and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros and his wife Mary Alice, newspaper archives show…