From Our Vaults 30 Years Ago: October 1, 1995

by Admin · October 31, 2025

The Southern Cross, October 1, 1995

SA’s first (and only) papal Mass

Pope John Paul II made his long-awaited first visit to South Africa, culminating in a Mass attended by some 200000 people at Gosforth Park near Johannesburg. It was his only Mass on a whistlestop tour that also took him to Senegal and Kenya to present the final document of the Synod of Bishops for Africa. Before departing the altar via a portable lift, he addressed the crowd in Southern Sotho with the traditional Basotho greeting: “Peace! Rain! Prosperity!”

Mandela and John Paul II met

President Nelson Mandela welcomed Pope John Paul II at Johannesburg airport and later at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The two leaders, aged 77 and 75 respectively, had an obvious rapport, cracking jokes. After the formalities, the pope spent nearly 30 minutes greeting more than 150 members of Mandela’s cabinet and entourage, speaking to each one in English.

Editorial: Let’s be unique

In his editorial, Michael Shackleton reflects on South Africa’s problems as it transitions from apartheid to democracy. “We have a chance to be unique,” he writes. “Let us work, pray and thrust ourselves into the challenges.”

Previous “From The Vaults” articles at www.scross.co.za/category/from-our-vaults