Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul   came in 1987 to visit the National Catholic Indian Conference in Phoenix.  15,000 Indian People were assembled.  While we stood. Stephen Baca, a Mescalero Apache Holy Man, blessed the Pope.  Pope John Paul responded: 

In part….. “I have greatly looked forward to this visit with you, the original peoples of this vast country.  I thank you for inviting me to be with you and for sharing with me some aspects of your rich and ancient culture…….Here your forebears worshipped the  Creator and thanked him for his gifts.  In contact with the forces of nature they learned the value of prayer, of silence and fasting, of patience and courage in the face of pain and disappointment.  Unfortunately (in coming to your land) not all members of our Church lived up to their Christian responsibilities…..I encourage you, as native people, to preserve and keep alive your cultures, your languages, the values and customs which have served you well in the past and which provide a solid foundation for the future…… These things benefit not only yourselves but the entire human family.”