O Santo na terra do diabo velho: política, cultura e ecumenismo na visita do papa João Paulo II à Goiânia (1991)

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the visit of Pope John Paul II to Goiânia in 1991, analyzing its social, political and cultural repercussions. The study seeks to understand how this event was planned, experienced and remembered by the people of Goiânia over time, as well as the criticisms and discussions that arose from it. To this end, primary sources were highlighted, such as newspapers of the time, assignments and interviews with people who witnessed the event. In addition, the work examines the historical context of the visit, including the biography of Karol Wojtyla, his political importance, his visits to Brazil, the Cesium 137 tragedy and the impact of the pontiff's presence in the city. The results indicate that, although the visit was a landmark for the local Catholic community, its memory was progressively forgotten, and aspects such as the altar headdress generated controversy and criticism in the media. The research contributes to the debate on how society treats these social events and how they are remembered in the collective memory