Fort Simpson (Apr 08/05) - Following Pope John Paul II's death on April 2, community members are reflecting fondly on his visit to Fort Simpson in 1987.

The Pontiff made good on his vow to step foot in the Mackenzie community after heavy fog prevented his much anticipated arrival by plane in 1984.

Pope John Paul II greets his followers while in Fort Simpson on Sept. 20, 1987. He is accompanied by national host Stephen Kakfwi, left. John Paul II died April 2 at age 84 after a 26-year reign. - photo courtesy of Pat and Lindsay Waugh

On Sept. 20, 1987, he led approximately 4,000 people in a mass and blessing at the flats, an area now known as the Papal site.

Dolly Cazon was in the crowd that day.

"It was very loving, sacred... it was just so holy, so beautiful," she recalled. "People were in tears, happy to have been able to see him."

Some still relive having beheld the Pope, especially those who were able to touch him or feel his touch, Cazon added.

Clad in a bleached white, beaded caribou vestment and standing in the giant teepee erected for the occasion, John Paul II greeted his followers in Slavey words he learned from Andy Norwegian.

Martina Norwegian and her mother were also among the faithful on hand that day.

"You could see it was a real, real moment for the elders... just to be in his presence, just that aura around him," Norwegian said. "That was all they talked about for the longest time... what a historical moment."

A handful of Fort Simpson Christians held a special service for the deceased Pope following mass on April 3.

Seeing the spiritual leader in failing health over the past few years has been "quite sad," Norwegian noted, but added that he carried on admirably despite his woes.

Will be dearly missed

Although John Paul II will be dearly missed, Cazon said he has gone to a better place.

"I'm not afraid for him because I know where he is going," she said. "He's going to be so happy."

She is also grateful for the religious message that the Pope helped to impart.

"It's shown me a better path and I've taken it," she said.

Father Joe Daley, who was the Roman Catholic priest in Fort Simpson for several years, said, "The Pope has journeyed with us ... and now he has gone home." Daley met John Paul II in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1984. "He had an ability to relate to people and to engage people," said Daley, who now resides in Yellowknife. "He had a combination of things - strength of character and his Christian faith was solid."

Bishop Denis Croteau rode on the plane with Pope John Paul II to Fort Simpson in 1987. He spent about 15-20 minutes chatting with him in the limousine from the airport to the Papal site and back again.

Easy to talk to

"You felt like you were with a grandfather or older brother." Croteau said. "He was easy to talk to."

When asked what he remembers most about Pope John Paul II, he replied, "It's his teaching ability. He had a great gift for reaching people."

The Pope's final days offered a lesson in itself, according to Croteau: "He wanted to show that life in all its different states has value, has dignity."