Witness to Hope opens at the Rose Historic Chapel on 24 November, the anniversary of Pope St John Paul II’s visit to Christchurch in 1986.
CHRISTCHURCH — Forty years after Pope St John Paul II became the first, and only, pope ever to visit New Zealand, a free public exhibition in Christchurch will tell the story of this landmark visit and the message of peace he brought with him.
Witness to Hope: 40th Anniversary Exhibition runs from 24 to 29 November 2026 at the Rose Historic Chapel on Colombo Street. It is presented by the St John Paul II Centre, with original material curated by the Christchurch Catholic Diocesan Archives.
The Pope arrived in Christchurch on 24 November 1986, the final day of his New Zealand visit. He began with an ecumenical service at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament alongside leaders of other Christian churches, before celebrating Mass at Lancaster Park. The theme of the visit was “Peace: the Message of the Gospel”.
His message carried particular weight. Five years earlier, in 1981, he had been shot in St Peter’s Square, and had publicly forgiven the man who tried to kill him. The same year, the Springbok tour had divided New Zealand. At Lancaster Park, the Pope warned against attitudes of racial and cultural superiority, and invited New Zealanders “to share this land in peace and in mutual respect”.
“Pope John Paul II came to Aotearoa as a messenger of peace at a time when the world, and our own country, seemed divided,” says Brigid Conroy, Director of the St John Paul II Centre. “Forty years on, his example of forgiveness and his respect for the dignity of every person is worth reflecting on. We hope people of all backgrounds will come and see, and take up the call to choose peace once more.
“For many people in Christchurch, this visit is still a vivid memory, whether they lined the streets, stood in the pouring rain at Lancaster Park or helped prepare for his arrival,” Conroy says. “We want to honour those memories, and to introduce a new generation to a story that belongs to this whole city, not only to Catholics.”
Visitors will see the chair built by local craftsmen, decorated with the papal coat of arms embroidered by the Carmelite sisters, alongside photographs, archival video, letters, correspondence and memorabilia from the visit.
The Centre is also inviting anyone who was there in 1986 to share their memories and photos, so they can be preserved and shared.
Sessions for school groups, rest homes and community groups are available from Wednesday to Friday by booking.
Exhibition details
- What: Witness to Hope: 40th Anniversary Exhibition
- Where: Rose Historic Chapel, 866 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central (on-street parking only)
- Public Open Hours: Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 November, 2–4pm; Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 November, 10am–4pm
- Entry: Free; koha welcome
- Group bookings: [email protected]
- More information: jp2.org.nz/witness-to-hope
ENDS
About the St John Paul II Centre: The St John Paul II Centre for Life, Marriage and Family is a charitable trust in Ōtautahi Christchurch, named for the Pope whose visit the exhibition remembers. Since 2005, it has supported marriage and family life through talks, courses, practical resources and pastoral support across Canterbury, the West Coast and beyond. jp2.org.nz
About the Christchurch Catholic Diocesan Archives: The Archives hold the historical records of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. archives.chchcatholic.nz