killed by the Contras in the same plaza that the Pope's mass took place. The Pope made no reference to the incident, even words of condolence. The Pope's visit was a significant event in the civil war. It deepened tensions between the Sandinistas and the many Nicaraguan Catholics who supported the Sandinistas. The controversial visit was also used by the "Contras" as a form of propaganda to give their organization moral legitimacy. 1996 In 1996, Pope John Paul II visited Nicaragua for a second time as part of a trip in which he also visited Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela. The trip lasted from February 5-12. See also The Catholic Church and the Nicaraguan Revolution References Nicaragua 20th-century Catholicism John Paul II, Nicaragua, 1983 1983 in international relations 1983 in Nicaragua 1983 in Christianity Holy See–Nicaragua relations March 1983 events in North America February 1996 events in North America