POPE'S ARRIVAL A GRAND SPECTACLE

A woman clasped her hands in prayer on a program while Pope John Paul II spoke in the Trans World Dome in St. Louis Wednesday.

Editor's note: Laura Johnston, Southeast Missourian religion reporter, covered Pope John Paul II's St. Louis visit. She filed this report on her impressions of Wednesday's concluding events.

ST. LOUIS -- The day was long and the journey unforgettable, But it was worth the effort for the scores of faithful who attended Mass with Pope John Paul II Wednesday at the Trans World Dome.

I was lucky enough to be part of the standing-room-only crowd that filled the stadium. Members of the press were among some of the last to arrive (and first to leave). I entered the building around 6 a.m. and was seated by 6:45 a.m.

My seat was near the top of the arena, but location didn't really seem to be a factor. We were just waiting our turn to see the pope.

From jumbo-sized screens hanging from the ceiling, we watched the pre-Mass events unfold. Gospel choirs, children's choirs and a handbell ensemble performed for the crowds prior to the pontiff's arrival.

Even the arrival of the 900 or so priests and nuns was enough to quiet the crowd. Watching the nuns, dressed in complete habit, file to their seats was a spectacle unlikely to be matched.

But the most delightful sight was watching the priests -- dressed in white vestments and stoles -- wave as John Paul drove past. Nuns, in varying shades of gray, blue and pink habits, waved handkerchiefs emblazoned with the papal visit logo.

And as the popemobile made its way among the overflow crowds in the America's Center, thunderous cheers erupted from the audience. They got louder when the pope and his entourage circled the floor of the Dome.

Mass was set to begin at 9:30 a.m. but started about 45 minutes late. In all, the service lasted nearly three hours.

Because the pontiff arrived late, some of his sermon was eliminated as were several songs, including "Ave Maria," a selection that I would have been delighted to hear performed.

But I really can't complain about any of the events during the 30-hour papal visit to St. Louis. People were wonderfully kind and cooperative. Even communion for 100,000 people was offered in the most orderly fashion I'm likely to see in my lifetime.

No one was rude or disruptive during any of the events leading up to the pontiff's visit and Eucharist celebration. These pilgrims had traveled from around the world and were respectfully preparing for worship with the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Seeing "God's co-pilot" was a somber event. There weren't shouts of "Viva Il Papa" or cheers of "John Paul II, we love you."

No bishops stood for the wave as they had done a night before with the young people at Kiel Center. No nuns were dancing in the aisles to Christian pop or rap music.

This was Mass, and worship with the pope wasn't to be taken lightly.

Covering the pope's visit ranks among the most exciting assignments I've had as a reporter. It was much more intense and powerful than I had imagined.

Even the national media representatives I talked with commented on the differences in covering the president and the pope. Rumor had it that the pope had five times the security detail of the American president.

Inside the arena, the Astroturf and field goals of the St. Louis Rams had been removed to make room for the altar that was used by the pontiff as he celebrated Mass with 100,000 Catholics.

Transforming a sports arena into a spiritual cathedral isn't often accomplished, but the volunteers of the Archdiocese of St. Louis seemed to make it work.

It was just short of a miracle, but the power of prayer was truly felt. The "pink sisters," as they are called, had been praying for months that the pope arrive in good health to a warm, clear climate in the Midwest.

Their prayers were answered.

You could feel the power of the pope's presence all across the city from the sight of families knelt in prayer, children asking for a blessing or in the words of the pope.

For many -- me included -- the day was full of images and messages our minds and souls are still trying to process. And maybe that is the point: Keep believing in that powerful presence, and try your best to make it a part of your daily life.