The Day the Pope Came to Iowa – A Look Back [VIDEO]

As people around the world watch the conclave at the Vatican and the election of a new Pope, some Iowans are remembering a historic event 46 years ago. That was the day that the Pope came to Iowa.

Which Pope visited the State of Iowa?

On October 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II made a papal visit to the state of Iowa. CBS2 reports that the pope's American visit that year lasted a total of seven days. He first traveled from Boston to New York and to Philadelphia. His fourth stop was Des Moines, before heading to Chicago and Washington D.C., before returning to Rome.

Why Did the Pope Decide to Visit Iowa?

Pope John Paul II was convinced to visit Iowa thanks to a letter from an Iowa farmer. KCCI reports that Joseph Hayes, a farmer from Madison County, sent a handwritten letter to the pope asking him to visit Iowa. He asked the pope to visit Iowa farmers and see how they take care of God's gifts. Hayes told KCCI that he'll never forget the pope telling him that "we are all farmers."

Where Did the Pope Go While in Iowa?

Pope John Paul II landed at the Des Moines airport on October 4th, 1979. He then traveled by helicopter to Living History Farms, according to CBS2. In a huge field, the pope held mass on a cold and rainy Iowa day in front of over 350,000 people. KCCI reports that it is still the largest gathering of people in the state's history!

READ MORE: Is Iowa One of the Best States to Visit?

While many Iowans remember the large gathering at Living History Farm, you might now know that Pope John Paul II also visited a small church near Cumming, Iowa. He was taken via helicopter and met with around 200 parishioners at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Here are some other famous folks that Iowans have encountered!