As part of the 175th anniversary of The Examiner, the public was invited to vote for our top 20 news stories. To count down to a special publication available at the end of March, we will be sharing those that did not make the cut. Here in number 23:
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An estimated 35,000 Tasmanians were out in force to see Pope John Paul II when he visited Hobart on November 27, 1986.
The Examiner called it a “great day for faithful” and said the thousands who flocked to the streets to see the Pope knew it “was a chance of a lifetime”.
He arrived at Hobart Airport where he was met by Governor of Tasmania James Plimsoll, Premier Robin Gray and Archbishop of Hobart Sir Guilford Young.
The Pope took the time to kiss a number of children, including 15-month-old Hannah Glover.
An image of the pair was captured by photographer Neil Richardson and was published on The Examiner’s front page the next day.
Mr Richardson, who continues to work full-time at the paper, recalls having to jostle with other members of the media for a good position to take photos.
“There was a lot of media and we were in a roped off part of the terminal and as I was taking shots of the Pope someone got in my shot,” he said.
“It was pretty big, the same level as when the Queen came out [to Tasmania] … there was a big crowd there.”
Later that day mass was held at Elwick racecourse.
“By the time he climbed to the podium, accompanied by dozens of solemn priests, the crowd had cheered itself into ecstasy,” The Examiner reported.
“He moved across the the podium, and waved, not to the crowd, but to each person in it, and they each waved back.”
Readings, blessings and a choir sand during mass which began at 2.10pm but it was not celebration for all.
A Launceston schoolboy was taken away from the racecourse by police, after it was discovered he had a replica 9mm pistol in his possession.
Fifty members of the congregation recived communion from the Holy Father himself.
The Examiner’s special publication for its 175th birthday will be available at the end of March.