In 1979, the year after he became pope, John Paul II made his first trip to America. He was greeted by more than a million wildly enthusiastic Americans in a trip that extended to 5 cities over 7 days. Catholic and non-Catholic alike, the vast majority of them had neither seen nor welcomed a Catholic pope before. Who was this man, who inspired such an extraordinary welcome? Frank Frost led 5 film crews through overwhelming crowds to answer this question in a documentary that would air nationally on ABC. The resulting film constitutes a reflection on what Americans were yearning for in their overflowing response to the new Pontiff, and what messages he offered them in return.