Pope John Paul II receives an eagle feather, symbol of the highest honor of the Native Americans, from Emmett White of the Gila River Indian Community, during the pontiff’s stop at the Tekakwitha Conference in Phoenix on Sept. 14, 1987.

 Ken Akers / The Catholic Sun 1987

When Pope John Paul II visited Phoenix in September 1987, he was met by thousands of supporters and tribal representatives from across Arizona. He held Mass at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. He also rode down Central Avenue in the popemobile. Go to tucson.com/retrotucson to see more photos.

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