Rocco over at Whispers in the Loggia has taken the trouble to remind us that this marks the 20-year anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s monumental and memorable trip to the United States, an 11-day visit that left an indelible impression on so many.

One emotional highpoint came in Los Angeles, when Tony Melendez, born without arms, sang for the pontiff. In the video below, he recalls that event, and it’s replayed. The performance, is a stunner — even more so for the pope’s extraordinary and beautiful response. Watch it and weep. It reminds me of what a journalist covering John Paul’s election in 1979 said: “They haven’t elected a man from Rome. They’ve elected one from Galilee.”