The day the Pope came to Manchester

More than 250,000 people flocked to Heaton Park for the occasion

It's been 43 years since Pope John Paul II visited Manchester, amassing a gigantic crowd at Heaton Park to celebrate Mass.

Arriving in his bulletproof 'Popemobile', the Pontiff made history when he became the first Pope to visit Britain exactly a year after he was shot in Vatican City in a failed assassination attempt.

With Pope Francis sadly dying this morning at the age of 88, we're looking back at the day most Mancunians who were there can't forget.

On May 21 1982, the then-Pope John Paul II headed to Heaton Park to celebrate Mass from a specially constructed open-air altar in a pastoral visit.

With Britain in the midst of war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, tensions were high with the visit nearly being cancelled.

To show balance, the Pope even had to organise a 30-hour pastoral visit to Argentina on June 11 and 12 just after they had invaded the South Atlantic islands.

Despite the complicated plan, the day went down as a success with Heaton Park being flooded with devoted worshippers, with some even camping overnight.

On the sunny morning, the Pontiff touched down at the nearby Convent of the Poor Sisters of Nazareth at 8.10am, where he was greeted by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Salford, the Rt Rev Thomas Holland and the auxiliary Bishop Geoffrey Burke.

After speaking with nuns and staff, he then met the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester James Anderton and the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Sir Emmanuel Jacobovits, before heading away in the bullet-proof British Leyland ‘Popemobile’.

He was met by banners and placards, with Pupils at Chorlton Convent School making their own Papal banner which measured 30ft by 10ft.

Other more informal banners were seen, with one matching the Mancunian spirit reading ‘Ow Doo John Paul!’.

The oldest Catholic scout group in the world, Mount Carmel Scouts or the 53rd Manchester Scout Group, were chosen as the Pope’s guard of honour on his way to Heaton Park, being the only scout group in the world eligible to wear the Papal colours on their neckerchiefs.

On his arrival, a choir of 3,000 people sang to show their dedication.

As he ordained 12 priests, the Pope said: “You must be men of God, his close friends. You must develop daily patterns of prayer, and penance must be a regular part of your life.”

Silversmith Andrew Coomber had made a silver and gold chalice, and the chalice used at the Holy Communion in Cardiff - the Pope's last stop on the visit- was made by Middleton silversmithing student Bernadette Varilone, who was actually one of the helpers at the park.

After the Mass, he then planted a commemorative tree before heading back to Nazareth House for a spot of lunch, which consisted of local black pudding, roast beef and apple tart.

Polish beer was also served to Pope John Paul II to remind him of his home country.

He then travelled by helicopter from Manchester to Knavesmire Racecourse in York where more than 200,000 people gathered to celebrate the liturgy of the word.

To remember the visit, a 16.5 ton granite boulder was unveiled by Bishop Holland at the site a year later, with an inscription which contained an extract from the Pope’s speech to the congregation.

After his visit the Pope sent a telegram to Bishop Thomas Holland which said: “With many joyful memories of my visit to Britain I wish to assure you and your people of my deep appreciation of the warm welcome accorded to me in Manchester. Cordially thankful for this abundant outpouring of love in Christ I impart to you and your diocese my Apostolic Blessing.”.