I had the marvelous privilege of meeting Pope John Paul II when he visited New Orleans in 1987. It was a truly wonderful experience to watch him at the educators' conference, the youth rally, and later at the outdoor Mass where the summer heat was scorching followed by a deluge of rain during the service. And, throughout it all the Pope, who was dressed in a magnificent blue-green vestment for the Mass, gave his radiant smile to the thousands who were gathered. He so wanted to see the Mississippi River which he said "I have read about all my life." I deeply regret that he did not see the River while he was here because he was only 2 miles away from it.