Pope week has begun. Cars are getting towed, and the Parkway is getting a facelift. But if you can’t wait for the big day to arrive, here’s something to tide you over: Eight photos from Pope John Paul II’s Philadelphia visit in October 1979.

The pope altar, with painters touching it up in the days before the JP II’s visit.

Cute little kid holds sign for the pope at the mass. Teenager in background is unimpressed.

Children get a front row view of the pope’s motorcade at Broad and Girard.

And here’s the pope. He’s greeting a few people in the crowd at an undisclosed location.

The pope celebrated a mass at the Philadelphia Civic Center. These are nuns waiting for it.

John Paul II’s motorcade.

JP II walks to the altar on the Parkway in full pope regalia.

Turning the Parkway back into the Parkway. This cross was removed about two weeks after the pope’s visit.