Pope John Paul II was in the midst of a five-day visit to the US East Coast. Arriving in Newark aboard an Alitalia flight on October 4, the following days entailed addressing the United Nations General Assembly, celebrating Mass and delivering homily at Giants Stadium and Central Park, and meeting with regional bishops and Jewish leaders at the cardinal’s residence. The Baltimore portion of the journey (the Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest in the USA) included Mass at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and a parade through the city.
TWA was selected by the Vatican to transport the pope from Newark to Baltimore and then on to Rome [Roma]-Ciampino. The charter was welcome news for the airline as it had just exited bankruptcy for the second time within a three-year period, and was in the midst of promoting the ‘We’re Up to Something Good’ advertising campaign.
