A Pontificate to Remember: A Timeline

Oct. 16, 1978

Elected 264th Pope

March 1979

Promolgates first of 14 encyclicals, Redemptor hominis (“The Redeemer of Man”)

September 1979

Makes first papal visit to homeland of Poland

October 1979

Makes first of five U.S. visits

May 1981

Wounded by assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square

December 1983

Visits Ali Agca, who made 1981 assassination attempt

October 1986

Calls for World Day of Prayer for Peace and meets with representatives from other churches and religious groups.

November 1989

Berlin Wall falls

April 1994

Suffers broken femur bone in fall

March 1995

Releases encyclical Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life”)

March 1997

The Holy See’s Internet site is launched

January 1998

Meets Fidel Castro and celebrates Mass in Cuba

May 2000

Celebrates 80th birthday

September 2000

Beatifies Popes Pius XI and John XXIII

June 2003

Makes 100th papal trip, this one to Croatia

Oct. 19, 2003

Beatifies Mother Teresa

 Oct. 16, 2003

25th anniversary of pontificate