Pope arrives in Canada

With tens of thousands of young Catholic pilgrims waiting, Pope John Paul arrived in Canada today for a week of World Youth Day festivities with those he calls the future of his church.

The frail pope, making his 97th foreign trip as the most-travelled pontiff in history, made the journey despite concerns that his declining health would be unable to withstand an 11 day tour that includes Guatemala and Mexico.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien and other Canadian and church dignitaries were in Toronto to welcome John Paul, who was then to board a helicopter for a few days’ rest at a Catholic retreat on remote Strawberry Island in Lake Simcoe, 50 miles north of the city.