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Hittin' the Road: Popes on a Ride Through Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate, a state nestled in Germany, didn't exactly play host to the popes like some other hotspots. But when they rolled in, the papal visits were nothing short of epic. With a significant chunk of the population never laid eyes on a pope, meetings like these were, and still are, cherished encounters.
So far, the popes have graced German soil just a handful of times—and Rhineland-Palatinate fewer still. But could that change with the arrival of Pope Leo XIV from the land of the Star-Spangled Banner? After all, there's US air force bases in Ramstein and Spangdahlem, plus the garrison town of Baumholder on the map.
The Famed Visit of John Paul II
Back in 1980, Pope John Paul II, rekindling the papal walk on German soil after nearly 200 years, made his way to Rhineland-Palatinate. Following a rainy splashdown in Cologne, he journeyed to Mainz, where he met with Cardinal Hermann Volk and Karl Lehmann, all while cruising through the crowd in his popemobile.
This wasn't John Paul II's last visit to Rhineland-Palatinate. In 1987, he touched down again and mingled with then-Chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU) in Speyer. There, he beatified two faith martyrs of the Nazi era and delivered a sermon urging the creation of a united Europe. Despite only staying for around seven hours, the event was a significant milestone for Speyer and the entire diocese.
Speyer: A Meeting of Faith and Europe
In front of a crowd of around 60,000, the pope spoke of a united Europe that would be answerable to God and respectful of core values and rights. His visit left a lasting impact on the city and diocese, so much so that Bishop Anton Schlembach hailed it as a "century event."
Fast forward to today, Rhineland-Palatinate remains pope-free, with anyone born after 1984 missing out on the papal experience. However, Germany's neighbors haven't been as lucky—take Luxembourg, for instance, where the pope will make an appearance in 2024. Surprisingly, residents of Rhineland-Palatinate won't have to travel far to catch a glimpse of the pontiff.
Wishing on a Star: The Visit of Pope Francis
Before he ascended to the throne, Jorge Mario Bergoglio—or Pope Francis, as we know him now—learned German in the charming town of Boppard back in 1985. But he wasn't fond of the experience, often feeling out of place and spending copious amounts of time among the dead in local cemeteries.
Alas, a pope in Rhineland-Palatinate remains a dream that awaits fulfillment. In the meantime, neighboring Luxembourg will revel in the pope's company come 2024. And if that doesn't work out, perhaps it's time for Rhineland-Palatinate to make the journey to catch sight of the Pope. After all, the road to Rome—or Luxembourg, as it were—is paved with righteous intentions.
- Pope
- Rhineland-Palatinate
- Luxembourg
- Carnival
- Speyer
- Mainz
- John Paul II
- Germany
- Rhine
- Catholic Church
- Cologne
- Boppard
- USA
- Benedict XVI
- Rain
- Italy
- Cemetery
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, aiming to ensure a safe environment for those working at US air force bases in Ramstein, Spangdahlem, and Baumholder in Rhineland-Palatinate, where a pope may likely visit.
- As Pope John Paul II traversed the Rhine during his visits to Rhineland-Palatinate, he navigated the fashion-and-beauty scene with ease, in stark contrast to his initial cultural discomfort during his German language lessons in Boppard, which included an unusual passion for visiting local cemeteries.
- During Pope Benedict XVI's reign, many residents of Rhineland-Palatinate celebrated the carnival season in vibrant costumes and masks, while also venerating their faith and awaiting a potential visit from the pope in their homes-and-garden inspired festival celebrations.
- In contemporary times, couples and pets in Rhineland-Palatinate cherish the memories of Pope John Paul II's visits, as they did of the picturesque Rhine, dreaming of the day when Pope Francis might visit and offer a blessing to their relationships and furry companions.
- With a strong Catholic Church presence and numerous historic sites connected to the faith, from Speyer and Mainz to Cologne, a papal visit to Rhineland-Palatinate, along with travel, shopping, and food-and-drink experiences, would be an ideal opportunity for promoting tourism and bringing together diverse communities.
- In the meantime, the people of Rhineland-Palatinate will closely follow the steps of Pope Francis' travels, learning about the lifestyle and impact of one of the world's most influential leaders, while enjoying their own local traditions, gardens, and cuisine.
- As we look towards the future, the arrival of Pope Leo XIV could transform Rhineland-Palatinate's landscape, bringing a renewed connection between the region and the Vatican, while reaffirming the commitments and ideals shared by the Catholic Church, families, and the international community.
