Exhibition to tell story of St John Paul II visit to Christchurch

By CathNews New Zealand

November 3rd, 2026

St John Paul II in Christchurch in 1986 (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)

Forty years after Pope St John Paul II became the first – and only – pope to visit New Zealand, a free public exhibition in Christchurch will tell the story of the landmark visit and the message of peace that the saint brought with him.

The “Witness to Hope: 40th Anniversary Exhibition” runs from November 24-29 at the Rose Historic Chapel on Colombo Street. It is presented by the St John Paul II Centre, with original material curated by the Christchurch Catholic Diocesan Archives.

St John Paul II arrived in Christchurch on November 24, 1986, the final day of his New Zealand visit. After a welcome by tangata whenua, he took part in an ecumenical service at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament alongside leaders of other Christian churches and the city’s mayor, before celebrating Mass at Lancaster Park. The theme of the visit was “Peace: the Message of the Gospel”.

His message carried particular weight. Five years earlier, in 1981, the Pope had been shot in St Peter’s Square, and had publicly forgiven the man who tried to kill him. The same year, the Springbok tour had divided New Zealand. At Lancaster Park, the Pope warned against attitudes of racial and cultural superiority and invited New Zealanders “to share this land in peace and in mutual respect”.

“Pope John Paul II came to Aotearoa as a messenger of peace at a time when the world, and our own country, seemed divided,” said Brigid Conroy, director of the St John Paul II Centre. “Forty years on, his example of forgiveness and his respect for the dignity of every person is worth reflecting on. We hope people of all backgrounds will come and see and take up the call to choose peace once more.

“For many people in Christchurch, this visit is still a vivid memory, whether they lined the streets, stood in the pouring rain at Lancaster Park or helped prepare for his arrival,” Ms Conroy said. “We want to honour those memories, and to introduce a new generation to a story that belongs to this whole city, not only to Catholics.”

Visitors to the 2026 exhibition will see the chair built by local craftsmen, decorated with the papal coat of arms embroidered by the Carmelite sisters, alongside photographs, archival video, letters, correspondence and memorabilia from the visit.

Entry is free. Koha is welcome.

FULL STORY

Christchurch exhibition marks 40 years since the only papal visit to New Zealand (St John Paul II Centre)