Archbishop Pantin's Welcome
Most Holy Father,
Normally when I write to Your Holiness I have to put "Vatican City". Today, however, the hearts of over one million Trinidadians and Tobagonians are overflowing with pride and joy as I address you as: Pope John Paul II, Trinidad and Tobago.
We are so happy to see you in Trinidad while regretting that your schedule does not permit you to set foot on our other half - Tobago. You see, Holy Father, in this, the most southernly part of the Caribbean, it's just the two of us: Trinidad and Tobago.
For us a dream has come true and on behalf of all here present, the priests, religious, seminarians and faithful of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, our brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations, as well as our brothers and sisters of the Hindu and Muslim faiths, I say to you, Most Holy Father, welcome, welcome, welcome to Trinidad and Tobago.
But we have such close links with the other Caribbean territories that I am sure that they would want me to say to you, Holy Father, welcome, welcome , welcome to the Caribbean.
We look to you, then, Holy Father and we say to you with all our heart: We love you John Paul II! What we think of you is well summed up in the beautifully simple words of one of our senior citizens who, somewhat confused with titles, said: "I want to go to see His Fatherliness."
We look to you and we shall be listening attentively and lovingly when you speak to us for, whatever our faults, whatever the size of our country, our hearts are big and generous.
Please, Holy, Father, speak to us, and may the Most Holy and Adorable Trinity (la santissima Trinidad) cause to spring up in Trinidad and Tobago the seed which at this hour you are about to plant in the generous soil of our grateful hearts.
Thank you, Holy Father, for coming to the Caribbean and thank you very specially for coming to us right here in Trinidad and Tobago.