JOHN PAUL II IN TANZANIA


By Edward Matulanya 

Pope John Paul II visited Tanzania from 1–5 September 1990 as part of a pastoral journey to Africa that also included Burundi, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. He traveled to Dar es Salaam, Songea, Mwanza, Tabora and Moshi.

John Paul II Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Pope John Paul II welcomed by Mwinyi

Arrival in Dar es Salaam (1 Sept 1990) – The Pope was welcomed by government and Church leaders and immediately praised Tanzania’s tradition of peace and interreligious harmony (John Paul II, Arrival Address, 1 Sept 1990).

Pope John Paul II arrived in Dar es Salaam and was greeted by President Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Catholic leaders (John 

Priestly Ordinations at Jangwani by John Paul II 

Priestly Ordinations, Jangwani Grounds (2 Sept) – He celebrated Mass and ordained new priests, urging them to “be faithful ministers of the Word and Sacraments” (Homily, Dar es Salaam, 2 Sept 1990).

John Paul II was the principal celebrant of a large outdoor Mass in which “the Church gathered around the Eucharistic table” (John Paul II, 1990b).

During the same Jangwani Grounds Mass, the Pope conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders by ordaining a group of Tanzanian deacons to the priesthood:

> “Today it is my joy to ordain these brothers as priests of Jesus Christ… to serve God’s people in Tanzania.” Homily at Jangwani Grounds (John Paul II, 1990b).

On September 2, 1990, at the Jangwani Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Pope John Paul II ordained 43 men to the priesthood. This significant event drew thousands of faithful and marked a major milestone in the Church’s life in Tanzania. In his homily, the Pope emphasized the role of priests as shepherds who lay down their lives for their flock (John Paul II, 1990a).

Joh Paul II attended Interreligious Meeting at Msimbazi Centre 

Interreligious Meeting, Msimbazi Centre (2 Sept) – John Paul II met Christian and non-Christian leaders, calling dialogue “a duty for all who believe in God” (Address at Msimbazi Centre, 2 Sept 1990).

John Paul II Meeting with the Episcopal Conference of Tanzania

 On 2 September, John Paul II spoke privately with Tanzanian bishops about pastoral priorities (John Paul II, 1990).

Confirmation of Youth in Songea

On September 3, 1990, at the Ruhuwiko Grounds in Songea, Pope John Paul II conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation upon a group of young Catholics, strengthening the gifts of the Holy Spirit and affirming their commitment to the faith (Clerus.org, n.d.).

John Paul II visted Bugando hospital 

Pope John Paul II in Mwanza

During his apostolic visit to Tanzania in September 1990, Pope John Paul II visited Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza on 3 September. This visit was part of his pastoral mission to engage with the sick and suffering, reflecting his concern for human dignity and solidarity with the marginalized. During his time at Bugando, he met patients and healthcare workers, offering words of comfort and encouragement while emphasizing the importance of compassion and care for those facing illness (John Paul II, 1990).

This visit highlighted the Catholic Church’s commitment to healthcare and the well-being of individuals, reinforcing the Church’s role in promoting social and spiritual support alongside medical care.

John Paul II celebrated Mass at Kawekamo

Mass in Mwanza (4 Sept) – At Kawekamo Grounds on Lake Victoria, he spoke about the dignity of marriage and family life, urging Catholics to “defend life from its very beginning” (Homily, Mwanza, 4 Sept 1990).

During his apostolic visit to Kawekamo Grounds in Mwanza, Tanzania, on September 4, 1990, Pope John Paul II celebrated a Eucharistic Mass that included two significant sacramental celebrations: First Holy Communion for children and the renewal of marriage vows for married couples. The Mass brought together thousands of faithful, emphasizing the sacredness of human life, the gift of family, and the importance of fidelity and love in the sight of God (John Paul II, 1990a; Alamy, 1990).

These sacramental moments highlighted the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist as the source of spiritual nourishment, the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of forming a faithful Christian family life.

John Paul II visted Tabora

Pope John Paul II in Tabora

During his apostolic visit to Tabora, Tanzania, on September 4, 1990, Pope John Paul II presided over a Liturgy of the Word at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium. While this event did not involve the celebration of a sacrament like Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist, it was an important liturgical service focused on the proclamation of Scripture and reflection on its meaning. The Pope emphasized the importance of listening to God’s word and allowing it to shape one’s actions and attitudes, strengthening the faith and spiritual commitment of the local community (John Paul II, 1990).

The Liturgy of the Word in Tabora was part of a larger series of pastoral visits across Tanzania, intended to reinforce the Catholic Church’s presence and support the spiritual growth of the faithful.

John Paul II Farewell in Moshi

Farewell in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region (5 Sept) – In his closing address he thanked the Tanzanian people for their hospitality and appealed for worldwide solidarity with Africa’s development efforts (Farewell Address, Moshi, 5 Sept 1990).

References

Alamy. (1990, September 4). Pope John Paul II walks toward the open-air altar where he will celebrate Mass in Mwanza, Tanzania. Alamy Stock Photo. https://www.alamy.com/pope-john-paul-ii-walks-toward-the-open-air-altar-where-he-will-celebrate-mass-in-mwanza-tanzania-sept-4-1990-in-the-background-is-the-city-of-mwanza-and-lake-victoria-mass-was-attended-by-50000-people-ap-photopeter-andrews-image526060498.html

Clerus.org. (n.d.). Confirmation in Tanzania by Pope John Paul II. Retrieved September 25, 2025, from https://www.clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/en/f52.htm

John Paul II. (1990a, September 1). Arrival address at Dar es Salaam airport. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1990/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19900901_arrivo-tanzania.html

John Paul II. (1990b, September 2). Homily at Jangwani Grounds, Dar es Salaam. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1990/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19900902_dar-es-salaam.html

John Paul II. (1990c, September 2). Address to leaders of other Christian communities and religions, Msimbazi Centre. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1990/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19900902_msimbazi-centre.html

John Paul II. (1990d, September 2). Address to the bishops of Tanzania. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1990/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19900902_conf-episc.html

John Paul II. (1990e, September 4). Homily at Kawekamo Grounds, Mwanza. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1990/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19900904_mwanza.html

John Paul II. (1990f, September 5). Farewell address, Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1990/september/documents/hf_jpii_spe_19900905_congedo-tanzania.html


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