Pope Francis becomes the fourth pope to visit the U.S. this week as he spends two days each in Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia. And while Americans have come to expect a papal visit at least once a decade, it was only 50 years ago that Pope Paul VI became the first to visit the States, greeting American Catholics in New York City on Oct. 4, 1965.
During his day in the Big Apple, Paul VI toured Harlem and Central Park, visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, spoke at the U.N., met with President Johnson for “46 amiable minutes,” per LIFE, and held a mass at Yankee Stadium. Though his inaugural visit meant a great deal to the country’s 46 million Catholics (a number that has since grown to nearly 70 million), the real purpose of his visit was to send a message of peace.
Quoting President Kennedy, who had been killed less than two years earlier, he told the U.N. delegates, “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.” The U.S., of course, was embroiled in the escalating conflict in Vietnam, and would be for eight more years, but the Pope was steadfast in his directive. “If you wish to be brothers,” he said, “let the arms fall from your hands.”
October 15, 1965 cover of LIFE magazine.Michael Rougier—LIFE Magazine
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
Pope Paul VI arrives in New York, October 1965.Art Rickerby—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI arrives in New York, October 1965.Art Rickerby—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. On Fifth Avenue. Sitting in a raised seat in a bubbletop limousine, the Pope arrives at St. Patrick's, largest cathedral in the U.S. Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. An estimated four million people saw the Pope in New York.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCrowds outside St. Patrick's Cathedral waiting for Pope Paul VI.Bill Eppridge—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Escorted by Cardinal Spellman of New York, he walks around the church, blessing the huge crowds.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI enters St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.Yale Joel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Reverberating applause in the cathedral.Yale Joel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.Yale Joel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.Yale Joel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. With the President. For 46 amiable minutes Pope Paul and President Johnson chatted in a small, plush sitting room on the 35th floor of the Waldorf Towers, through interpreters.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Amiable exchange on views - on many subjects - with the President.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI leaving the Waldorf Towers with President Johnson.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. He was met by statesmen from 116 nations and, among other notables, an incandescent Jacqueline Kennedy. Henry Groskinsky—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. The Pope's next stop was the U.N., where he made the plea for peace that was his main purpose in coming to New York. John Loengard—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesJackie Kennedy, Ted Kennedy and his wife Joan in the crowd during the visit of Pope Paul VI. Henry Groskinsky—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI at the United Nations.John Loengard—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Mass for the multitude.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Ecstatic welcome at Yankee Stadium.Art Rickerby—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPope Paul VI at Yankee Stadium.Art Rickerby—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. It is the explosive moment of the Pope's arrival at Yankee Stadium, a moment that bishops, priests, nuns and lay worshipers will cherish in their memories.BILL EPPRIDGERobert F.Kennedy and two of his sons attend the outdoor mass led by Pope Paul VI at Yankee Stadium.Bill Eppridge—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Communicants. Their hands clasped in reverence, John Nardoza (left) and Hubert Ondo from Gabon walk away as Pope Paul, assisted by Archbishop John J. McGuire, who statnds behind him, offers the Sacred Host to the next youngsters in line.Bill Eppridge—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Near the end of his historic day in New York City, Pope Paul VI said Mass to 100,000 people in Yankee Stadium and gave a sermon of peace.Bill Eppridge—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA view of the crowd at Yankee Stadium during Pope Paul VI's visit.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
