Already the most traveled leader in the history of the papacy, Pope John Paul II landed Tuesday in Toronto for what some believe might be his last visit to North America.
Surrounded by photographers at Pearson International Airport, the 82-year-old pontiff walked down the stairs in a private hangar, while youth who assembled for World Youth Day activities watched his arrival on a large screen at the Exhibition Place Fairgrounds.
More than any other pope, it is travels like his visit to Toronto that have marked his papacy. He has visited more than 130 nations and met 16 million pilgrims throughout his 23-year papal reign. One of the longest popes to serve, he has been photographed extensively, holding infants in France, embracing children in Angola and shaking hands among crowds in his native Poland.
Experts credit him with, through his trips, contributing to the fall of communism, promoting Catholicism in developing countries and creating World Youth Day activities, which he will join Thursday after resting at a retreat in Ontario.
"He has been seen by more people directly than probably anyone else in the world," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, editor of the Catholic monthly magazine America. "He's certainly been to more countries than any rock star or politician."
Many of his visits have resulted in significant political change, not only in the church but in society as well.
During the early years of his pontificate, his visits to Poland are credited for the fall of communism, which theologians agree will be his most significant legacy. Back then, the pope had a calming effect on the people, Reese said, that resulted in a peaceful revolution.
"His visits were historic in turning the tide and supporting the Polish people in the move to an independent state," Reese said. "Those visits changed the course of history. It symbolized spiritual power trumping political and military power."
Inside the church, some of the pope's most significant travels can be seen in his attempts to shore up Christianity in the developing world, author James Carroll said.
"It's a major part of this pope's story," said Carroll, whose new book, "Toward A New Catholic Church: The Promise of Reform," will be published next month. "This is a pope who has really turned his back on Europe. Then again, Europe has turned its back on the church."
During his papacy the pope has made numerous visits to Africa and developing countries in other parts of the world. That's why it comes as no surprise to Carroll that John Paul will travel to Mexico and Guatemala after his appearances this week at World Youth Day.
"He's working hard to strengthen the church," Carroll said. "There's a vital Catholic church in United States, but very few other nations of the West and North have such vitality. The future of the Catholic Church is in Latin America, Asia and Africa."
John Paul's trips also have led to a number of firsts with other faiths.
A year ago, when the pontiff took off his shoes and entered the Grand Mosque of Omayyad in Syria, he became the first pope to enter a mosque.
Some credit him with revolutionizing Judeo-Christian relations when in 1996 he became the first pope to visit a synagogue in Rome. In 2000, during his visit to Israel, he went to Jerusalem's Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
Earlier this year, when Catholics and Jews held historic talks in Paris, John Paul's travels were cited as a major influence in restoring a dialogue between the two major faiths.
"He was in a sense going back to the historical places where Jesus lived and died and showing his solidarity with the Jews and people," said Peter Casarella, associate professor of theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. "That was very personal."
It was especially personal because one of his best friends while growing up in Poland was Jewish.
John Paul has also made numerous other historic visits. But with his health poor, many wonder how much longer he will be able to travel across the world. Casarella believes his trip to Poland in August will be a visit that will complete the pope's circle of travels.
"Now, in the twilight in his pontificate, he's going back to say goodbye," Casarella said.
For now, more than 200,000 young people are rallying around the pontiff, and many realize the significance of the visit.
"I am touched so much that he's coming for us, especially the condition he's in," said Simone Maldonado of Southgate. "It's going to be really extraordinary."