Cuiabá commemorates 35 years since Pope John Paul II visit

Cuiabá is hosting a series of religious and cultural events to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s 1991 visit to the city. The celebrations, expected to draw approximately 4,000 faithful, will take place at the Sesi Papa, the same location where the Pope celebrated Mass during his original visit.

The program includes a Holy Mass, the unveiling of a life-sized sculpture of the Pope by artist Francisco Charneca, and a musical performance by Catholic singer Celina Borges. To support the event, the Cuiabá City Hall has implemented cleaning, revitalization, and lighting improvements in the Cruz do Papa region.

In conjunction with the festivities, the São João Paulo II Sanctuary is hosting a temporary exhibition of liturgical objects used by the Pope in 1991, including a chasuble, a cathedra, a paten, and a chalice. The sanctuary also houses a first-class relic of the Pope. Additionally, local authorities are discussing the creation of a permanent memorial to preserve the historical memory of the pontiff’s visit.