On October 6, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited the White House during his first trip to the United States as pope. He met with President Jimmy Carter and addressed issues such as human rights and peace. The visit was part of a broader tour that included large public Masses in several U.S. cities. John Paul II had already gained attention for his role in Poland and his outspoken stance on religious freedom. His stop in Washington highlighted the influence of Catholics in U.S. public life. It also symbolized closer ties between the Vatican and American political leaders during the late Cold War period.
