The Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg is preparing for a momentous celebration on 20 September 2025, as the Cathedral of Christ the King commemorates both its 65th anniversary of consecration and the 30th anniversary of Pope Saint John Paul II’s historic visit in 1995.

At the invitation of the Archbishop of Johannesburg, Cardinal Stephen Brislin, the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, will preside over the Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at 9:00 AM. Clergy, religious, faithful, civic leaders, and friends of the Metropolitan Archdiocese will gather to give thanks for more than six decades of faith, service, and heritage at the city’s mother church.

In a video message ahead of the celebration, Archbishop Jagodziński reflected on the profound significance of the Cathedral. “The cathedral is not only the mother of the Church in the Archdiocese, but also a living witness to the sacraments, celebrations, and countless moments of faith that have taken place within its walls over 65 years,” he said.

He described the anniversary as a “sign of maturity of the Church, not only in Johannesburg but in the whole of South Africa,” emphasizing that the Cathedral has long been a spiritual and cultural beacon at the heart of the nation’s largest city.

Archbishop Jagodziński also recalled with deep emotion the visit of Pope John Paul II—his fellow countryman and former Archbishop in Kraków, Poland — who came to the Cathedral on September 17, 1995, to present the apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa.

“For me, it is a great joy, because I had the honour of meeting him many times, and every encounter was a spiritual experience,” he said. Looking ahead, he encouraged the faithful not only to remember the past but to ensure that the Cathedral “remains full, as a place where people encounter our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Nuncio expressed his hope that the grace of Papal presence in Johannesburg may one day be renewed. “This anniversary is also an occasion to pray that these amazing graces repeat… that another Pope may come again to the Cathedral of Christ the King,” he said.

Adding further significance to the celebration, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation will unveil a Blue Plaque on Saturday, September 20^th, officially designating the Cathedral of Christ the King as a Heritage Building. This recognition highlights the Cathedral’s dual role as a sacred space of worship and a cultural landmark deeply rooted in the city’s history.

Over the years, the Cathedral has welcomed distinguished figures such as Pope Saint John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. More recently, it hosted Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero during the memorial Mass for the late Pope Francis, reaffirming its role as a gathering place for faith, unity, and remembrance.

As Johannesburg celebrates this milestone, the Cathedral of Christ the King stands as a beacon of Catholic faith and a treasured heritage site. The dual commemoration—of consecration and papal visit—serves as both a reminder of the city’s rich spiritual history and a call to continue building a future rooted in hope, peace, and service to all.