Papal visits to the United States

Papal visits to the United States have been made by four popes between 1965 and 2015.

There have been a total of 10 trips which included visits to 23 cities in 17 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, three cities in U.S. territories have received papal visits as well.

Precursor events

=Pope Pius IX=

Pope Pius IX fled Rome and took refuge in the city of Gaeta in November 1848 due to the establishment of the Roman Republic. He remained in Gaeta until September 4, 1849. Pope Pius IX and King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies went onboard the USS Constitution while it was in port at Gaeta on August 1, 1849. As commissioned ships possess extraterritoriality, this was the first time a pope set foot on American territory or its equivalent.{{cite web|url= https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2001/december/popes-first-american-visit|title= The Pope's First American Visit|first= Tyrone G.|last= Martin|date= December 2001|website= www.usni.org|archiveurl= https://archive.is/PCvnc|archivedate= April 15, 2025|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= The occasion was the first time a pope set foot on U.S. territory. (A commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy has the same legal status as a piece of U.S. soil, in the same way any of its embassies around the world does.)}}{{cite web|url= https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2015/09/23/the-pope-deck/|title= The Pope Deck|first= Matthew|last= Brenckle|date= September 23, 2015|website= ussconstitutionmuseum.org|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20250312185719/https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2015/09/23/the-pope-deck/|archivedate= March 12, 2025|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= While Pope Paul VI’s whirlwind trip in 1965 was the first time a pontiff set foot in the United States proper, he was not the first to traipse on American territory. Thanks to a bit of legal contortionism that honor goes to Pope Pius IX in 1849! You see, a nation’s warships are considered sovereign territory, and so to walk the decks of an American naval vessel is to tread on American “soil.”}}

=Pope Pius XII=

Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli (the soon-to-be Pope Pius XII) visited the United States from October 8–November 6,1936 as Cardinal Secretary of State and Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. At the time, Pacelli was the highest-ranking Catholic official ever to visit the United States.The New York Times. 1936, October 9. "Cardinal Pacelli, Papal Envoy, Here". p. 1. Although he did not visit the United States as Pope, he was the first Pope who visited the United States at any time in his life. Pacelli met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the president's home in Hyde Park, New York, on November 5, 1936.The New York Times. 1936, November 6. "Pacelli Lunches With Roosevelt". p. 1.

Visits to the United States by reigning popes

=Pope Paul VI=

The first papal visit to the United States itself occurred on October 4, 1965, when Pope Paul VI visited New York City to address the United Nations at the invitation of Secretary-General U Thant.{{cite web|url= http://cny.org/stories/archives-showcases-new-york-visit-of-pope-paul-vi-50-years-ago,12841|title= Archives Showcases New York Visit Of Pope Paul VI 50 Years Ago|first= Claudia|last= McDonnell|date= July 8, 2015|website= Catholic New York|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200416233051/http://cny.org/stories/archives-showcases-new-york-visit-of-pope-paul-vi-50-years-ago,12841|archive-date= April 16, 2020|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} During that visit, the Pope first stopped at St. Patrick's Cathedral where some 55,000 people lined the streets to greet him,{{cite web|url= https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/news/press-release-four-popes-now-memorialized-in-st-patricks-cathedral|title= Four Popes Now Memorialized in the North and South Vestibules of St. Patrick's Cathedral|date= December 4, 2018|website= Saintpatrickscathedral.org|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200416233925/https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/news/press-release-four-popes-now-memorialized-in-st-patricks-cathedral|archive-date= April 16, 2020|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} met with President Lyndon B. Johnson at the Waldorf Astoria,{{cite magazine|url= https://time.com/4042433/paul-vi-lbj-1965/|title= The First Time a Pope Visited the U.S. Was Much More Complicated|first= Lily|last= Rothman|date= September 21, 2015|magazine= Time|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200416234358/https://time.com/4042433/paul-vi-lbj-1965/|archive-date= April 16, 2020|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} addressed the United Nations General Assembly, celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium,{{cite web |title= Homily of The Holy Father Paul VI Yankee Stadium, New York Monday, 4 October 1965|url=http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/homilies/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19651004_yankee-stadium.html|website= Vatican.va|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200416235007/http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/homilies/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19651004_yankee-stadium.html|archive-date= April 16, 2020|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} and viewed Michelangelo's Pieta at the New York World's Fair in Queens.

=Pope John Paul II=

Pope John Paul II visited the United States from October 1–7, 1979. He arrived in Boston on October 1{{cite web|url= https://www.wbur.org/news/2009/10/01/papal-visit|title= Remembering A Different Boston, 30 Years After Pope's Historic Visit|first= Steve|last= Brown|date= October 1, 2009|website= www.wbur.org|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20230708084337/https://www.wbur.org/news/2009/10/01/papal-visit|archivedate= July 8, 2023|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= On Oct. 1, 1979, Pope John Paul II received a rock star's welcome in Boston.}} after a visit to Ireland. The next two days were spent in New York City, where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. The pope later spoke to students gathered at Madison Square Garden, and conducted Mass at the original Yankee Stadium{{cite web|url=http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19791002_usa-new-york_en.html |title=Holy Mass at Yankee Stadium – Homily of His Holiness Pope John Paul II |publisher=Vatican.va |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303025339/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19791002_usa-new-york_en.html |archive-date=March 3, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=June 8, 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/final-papal-visit-yankee-stadium-pack-em-article-1.291249 |title=Final papal visit to Yankee Stadium will pack 'em in |first=Larry |last=McShane |date=March 30, 2008 |work=New York Daily News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815221734/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/final-papal-visit-yankee-stadium-pack-em-article-1.291249 |archive-date=August 15, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=June 8, 2013 |quote=Benedict becomes the third Pope to say Mass in the iconic ballpark, joining Pope Paul VI in 1965 and Pope John Paul II in 1979.}} for 75,000 people{{cite book|last = Weigel|first = George |author-link = George Weigel|title = Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II |publisher = Harper Perennial|year = 2005|page = 350|isbn = 0060732032|quote= On the night of his UN address, John Paul celebrated Mass for 75,000 in Yankee Stadium.}} as well as at Shea Stadium to an audience of over 52,000.{{cite news|last= Miner|first= Colin|url= http://www.nysun.com/new-york/pontiff-made-a-pair-of-colorful-nyc-visits/11605/|title= Pontiff Made a Pair of Colorful NYC Visits|work= The New York Sun|date= 4 April 2005|access-date= 12 February 2013|archive-date= 2 August 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120802005957/http://www.nysun.com/new-york/pontiff-made-a-pair-of-colorful-nyc-visits/11605/|url-status= dead}} He arrived in Philadelphia on October 3.{{cite web|url= https://whyy.org/articles/a-look-back-at-pope-john-paul-iis-visit-to-philadelphia-in-1979/|title= A look back at Pope John Paul II’s visit to Philadelphia in 1979|first= Neema Roshania|last= Patel|date= September 17, 2015|website= whyy.org|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20250119031730/https://whyy.org/articles/a-look-back-at-pope-john-paul-iis-visit-to-philadelphia-in-1979/|archivedate= January 19, 2025|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} The pope traveled to Des Moines, Iowa and visited the Living History Farms and said Mass to an audience of around 340,000 on October 4, 1979.{{cite book |last=Avella |first=Steven M. |title=The Catholic Church in Southwest Iowa |publisher=Liturgical Press |year=2018 |ISBN=9780814644713 |location=Collegeville, Minnesota |page=345}} He traveled to Chicago later that same day, there he celebrated Mass in Grant Park, met with civic leaders and Chicago's Polish community. Chicago was the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States at the time and the home of the largest Polish community outside of Poland.{{Cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-pope-story,0,3834966.story |work=Chicago Tribune |title=Pope John Paul II in Chicago |first=Robert |last=Davis |date= October 5, 1979|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716132216/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-pope-story,0,3834966.story |archive-date=16 July 2013 |url-status=live }} He concluded his pilgrimage to the U.S. in Washington, D.C. where he became the first pope to visit the White House where he met with President Jimmy Carter.{{cite book|last= Walsh|first= Mary Ann|chapter= Essential Resources: Visits to the United States|title= John Paul II: A Light for the World, Essays and Reflections on the Papacy of John Paul II|publisher= Sheed and Ward|date= 2003|location= Lanham, Maryland|page= 235|isbn= 978-1580511421}}

John Paul II made two stopovers in Alaska. The first occurred in Anchorage on February 26, 1981 following a trip to Asia and the second was in Fairbanks on May 2, 1984, which included a meeting with President Ronald Reagan.{{cite web|url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/50284a.htm |title=Remarks at the Welcoming Ceremony for Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks, Alaska May 2, 1984 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Library |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804232440/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/50284a.htm |archivedate=August 4, 2011|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}

A large-scale visit was carried out from September 10–19, 1987 with John Paul II traveling to Miami,{{cite web|url= https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ken-walshs-washington/2014/03/27/ronald-reagan-and-john-paul-ii-a-primer-on-papal-diplomacy|title= Ronald Reagan and John Paul II: A Primer on Papal Diplomacy|first= Kenneth|last= Walsh|date= March 27, 2014|website= U.S. News & World Report|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190605204832/https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ken-walshs-washington/2014/03/27/ronald-reagan-and-john-paul-ii-a-primer-on-papal-diplomacy|archivedate= June 5, 2019|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= President Ronald Reagan shakes hands with Pope John Paul II on Sept. 10, 1987, at Miami International Airport.}}{{cite web|url= https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/video/trip-florida-cuts-remarks-president-reagan-and-pope-john-paul-ii-vizcaya-museum|title= Trip to Florida. Cuts of Remarks by President Reagan and Pope John Paul II. Vizcaya Museum|publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Library|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20220520214119/https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/video/trip-florida-cuts-remarks-president-reagan-and-pope-john-paul-ii-vizcaya-museum|archivedate= May 20, 2022|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} Columbia, SC, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Monterey, CA, San Francisco, and Detroit.

The pope visited Denver from August 10–15, 1993 for World Youth Day 1993 and met President Bill Clinton at Regis University.{{cite web|url= https://www.regis.edu/News-Events-Media/Regis-Today-Archive/Regis-Hosted-a-Landmark-Meeting.aspx|title= Regis Hosted a Landmark Meeting|date= n.d.|website= Regis University.edu|archiveurl= https://archive.today/20190916001315/https://www.regis.edu/News-Events-Media/Regis-Today-Archive/Regis-Hosted-a-Landmark-Meeting.aspx|archivedate= September 16, 2019|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= On August 12, 1993, Regis University hosted a meeting and press conference with Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton at the Northwest Denver Campus.|access-date= September 16, 2019}}

Another multi-city visit occurred October 4–9, 1995 when the pope traveled to Newark, East Rutherford, New York City,{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/nyregion/the-pope-s-visit-the-overview-125000-join-pope-at-mass-in-central-park-basilica.html|title= The Pope's Visit: The Overview; 125,000 Join Pope at Mass In Central Park 'Basilica'|first= Robert D.|last= McFadden|date= October 8, 1995|work= The New York Times |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010247/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/nyregion/the-pope-s-visit-the-overview-125000-join-pope-at-mass-in-central-park-basilica.html|archive-date= 2015-09-26|url-status= live}} Yonkers,{{cite news |last=Berger|first=Joseph|title=The Pope's Visit: The Scene:Yonkers Turns Out To Glimpse John Paul II|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/07/nyregion/the-pope-s-visit-the-scene-yonkers-turns-out-to-glimpse-john-paul-ii.html|work= The New York Times |date=October 7, 1995|archive-date=September 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929044723/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/07/nyregion/the-pope-s-visit-the-scene-yonkers-turns-out-to-glimpse-john-paul-ii.html|url-status=live }} and Baltimore.{{cite web|url= https://catholicreview.org/st-john-paul-iis-historic-visit-to-baltimore-25-years-ago-put-spotlight-on-premier-see/|title= St. John Paul II's historic visit to Baltimore 25 years ago put spotlight on Premier See|first= George P.|last= Matysek Jr.|date= October 7, 2020|website= catholicreview.org|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20250114123427/https://catholicreview.org/st-john-paul-iis-historic-visit-to-baltimore-25-years-ago-put-spotlight-on-premier-see/|archivedate= January 14, 2025|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} This visit included an address to the United Nations on the 50th anniversary of its creation{{UN document|docid=A-50-PV.20|body=General Assembly|type=Verbotim Report|session=50|meeting=20|page=2|anchor=pg002-bk05|date=October 5, 1995|speakername=His Holiness Pope John Paul II|speakernation=Holy See|accessdate= July 1, 2008|archiveurl= https://www.webcitation.org/630WM9C8w?url=http://www.undemocracy.com/generalassembly_50/meeting_20|archivedate= 2011-11-06|url-status= live}} and a Mass at Giants Stadium before a crowd of 82,948, the second-largest to ever attend an event at Giants Stadium.

John Paul II's final visit to the United States was to St. Louis from January 26–27, 1999.{{cite web|url= https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/visit-to-st-louis-99-arrival-message-8419|title= Visit to St. Louis 99: Arrival Message|date= January 26, 1999|website= EWTN|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190915232223/https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/visit-to-st-louis-99-arrival-message-8419|archivedate= September 15, 2019|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= The Holy Father arrived at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, USA...where he was greeted by President William J. Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.}}

=Pope Benedict XVI=

Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States took place from April 15, 2008, to April 20, 2008. It was his only visit to the United States.{{cite web|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4656125&page=1|title= Bush Embraces Pope Benedict XVI|first1= Jennifer|last1= Parker|first2= Bill|last2= Blakemore|date= April 15, 2008|publisher= ABC News|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095229/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4656125&page=1|archivedate= May 18, 2015|url-status= live|accessdate= August 17, 2011}}

=Pope Francis=

Pope Francis's visit to the United States consisted of three cities: Washington, D.C., New York City including his visit to the United Nations, and Philadelphia which hosted the World Meeting of Families. He became the first pope to address a joint session of the United States Congress, at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both Catholics.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/us/pope-francis-congress-speech.html?_r=0|title= Pope Francis, in Congress, Pleads for Unity on World's Woes|date=September 24, 2015|work= The New York Times}}

Visits to territories of the United States

Pope Paul VI visited Pago Pago, American Samoa on November 30, 1970 as part of his tour of Asia and Oceania.{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/30/archives/pope-paul-makes-brief-samoa-visit-on-way-to-sydney.html|title= Pope Paul Makes Brief Samoa Visit on Way to Sydney|first= Paul|last= Hofmann|date= November 30, 1970|website= www.nytimes.com|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= Pope Paul VI made a four‐hour visit today to this American island and to the independent state of Western Samoa on his way from Manila to Sydney, Australia.}}

Pope John Paul II visited Agaña,{{#tag:ref|Name was changed from Agaña to Hagåtña in 1998.|group=Note|name=note1}} Guam on February 22–23, 1981{{cite web|url= https://www.guammuseumfoundation.org/2024/03/27/february-1981-pope-john-paul-ii-visited-guam/#:~:text=In%20February%201981%2C%20Pope%20John,Calvo%20and%20Bishop%20Felixberto%20Flores.|title= February 1981, Pope John Paul II Visited Guam|date= March 27, 2024|website= www.guammuseumfoundation.org|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20241203114148/https://www.guammuseumfoundation.org/2024/03/27/february-1981-pope-john-paul-ii-visited-guam/|archivedate= December 3, 2024|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} and San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 12, 1984.{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/12/us/puerto-rico-is-prepared-to-greet-the-pope-today.html|title= Puerto Rico is Prepared to Greet the Pope Today|first= Jon|last= Nordheimer|date= October 12, 1984|website= www.nytimes.com|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}

Tables

=Table of destinations in the United States=

City ! State or district ! NV ! Pope and year of visit {{small\|(Note: column sorts by date of first visit, not by pope's name.)}}
class="wikitable sortable"
Anchorage	Alaska	{{center\|1}}	1981-02-26John Paul II 1981
Baltimore	Maryland	{{center\|1}}	1995-10-08John Paul II 1995
Boston	Massachusetts	{{center\|1}}	1979-10-01John Paul II 1979
Chicago	Illinois	{{center\|1}}	1979-10-04 PMJohn Paul II 1979
Columbia	South Carolina	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-11John Paul II 1987
Denver	Colorado	{{center\|1}}	1993-08-12John Paul II 1993
Des Moines	Iowa	{{center\|1}}	1979-10-04 AMJohn Paul II 1979
Detroit	Michigan	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-18John Paul II 1987
East Rutherford	New Jersey	{{center\|1}}	1995-10-05 PMJohn Paul II 1995
Fairbanks	Alaska	{{center\|1}}	1984-05-02John Paul II 1984
Los Angeles	California	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-15John Paul II 1987
Miami	Florida	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-10John Paul II 1987
Monterey	California	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-17 AMJohn Paul II 1987
New Orleans	Louisiana	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-12John Paul II 1987
New York City	New York	{{center\|5}}	1965-10-04Paul VI 1965{{•}} John Paul II 1979, 1995{{•}} Benedict XVI 2008{{•}} Francis 2015
Newark	New Jersey	{{center\|1}}	1995-10-04John Paul II 1995
Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	{{center\|2}}	1979-10-03John Paul II 1979{{•}} Francis 2015
Phoenix	Arizona	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-14John Paul II 1987
{{Sort\|Saint Louis\|St. Louis}}	Missouri	{{center\|1}}	1999-01-26John Paul II 1999
San Antonio	Texas	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-13John Paul II 1987
San Francisco	California	{{center\|1}}	1987-09-17 PMJohn Paul II 1987
Washington	District of Columbia	{{center\|3}}	1979-10-06John Paul II 1979{{•}} Benedict XVI 2008{{•}} Francis 2015
Yonkers	New York	{{center\|1}}	1995-10-06John Paul II 1995

=Table of destinations in the territories of the United States=

City ! Territory ! NV ! Pope and year of visit {{small\|(Note: column sorts by date of first visit, not by pope's name.)}}
class="wikitable sortable"
Agaña {{#tag:ref\|Name was changed from Agaña to Hagåtña in 1998.\|group=Note\|name=note1}}	Guam	{{center\|1}}	1981-02-22John Paul II 1981
Pago Pago	American Samoa	{{center\|1}}	1970-11-30Paul VI 1970
San Juan	Puerto Rico	{{center\|1}}	1984-10-12John Paul II 1984