Flirting with the Past: Pope John Paul II Visits Bangladesh on Nov. 19, 1986

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It was 23 years ago today. Pope John Paul II visited Bangladesh on November 19, 1986. It seems as if only in recent past did we have his mesmerizing visit. His visit is still vivid in our memories.

I had the occasion of covering his visit to Dhaka photographically. It was quite a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience for me.

I present below some of the photos of the visit of this holy and personable pope. Please let me know your reaction to this historic visit.

Bangladesh President H. M. Ershad welcomes
Pope John Paul II at the Zia International Airport in Dhaka

President H. M. Ershad (left) introduces Pope John Paul II (right)
to international and Bangladeshi journalists at a press conference
in the VVIP room at the airport

The red-carpet welcome for the pope at the airport. Christians,
mostly Catholics, are waiting for the papal plane to arrive in Dhaka

Pope John Paul II ordains 19 Bangladeshi seminarians
to priesthood in the solemn Mass offered at the Ershad Army
Stadium in Dhaka Cantonment

Girls are offering the aroti (fire offering to God)
during the papal Mass

Pope John Paul II is offering the solemn Mass

Pope John Paul II is blessing the participants after the Mass

A section of the 50,000 participants in the papal Mass

The Pope is paying his tribute to the Jatiyo Smriti Shoudha
(National War Memorial) at Savar, a suburb of Dhaka

Pope John Paul II is praying at the National War Memorial

Pope John Paul II is writing his message on the
Celebrity Visitors' Book at the Jatiyo Smriti Shoudha
(National War Memorial) at Savar

Dancers demonstrating their respect for the Pope at the solemn
reception accorded to him on the grounds of the
Archbishop's House at Ramna, Dhaka
Photos (Dhaka: November 19, 1986) © Jerome D'Costa