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Write the name “John Paul II” on the board and ask students to tell you what they know about him. As they provide information, create a word web by listing their ideas around the name. Once facts have been provided (for example, leader of the Roman Catholic church, lives in Rome, Italy) have students describe their impressions and opinions of him.

Remind students about the Pope’s visit to Toronto in July 2002 for World Youth Day. Ask students if any of them attended and invite them to share some stories of the experience with the rest of the class.

Explain to the students that they will be learning about the Pope’s previous visit to Canada, in 1984. Inform them that they will be browsing the CBC website to access media clips and other information on the visit.

Divide the students into 10 smalls groups of two or three. Assign each group of students one of the media clips to view and have them make notes on the important facts and points in the clip. Using their findings, each group will prepare a short presentation for the rest of the class in which they outline the highlights of the segment they viewed. Students may wish to use chart paper or the chalk board to aid in their presentations.

Remind the students that, when the Pope left Canada, he explained to reporters that he hadn't expected such a warm welcome and was pleasantly surprised by the attitudes of Canadians.

Have students work in groups to create a list of reasons why they believe the Pope was received so warmly by the Canadian people. Write the main ideas of each group on the board and have students make their own notes from these.

Have students choose one of the stops on the Papal visit and write a journal entry about the event, taking on the role of a person who was there. These should be as descriptive and detailed as possible.