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Pope sees unity as island’s way forward

Published:Friday | August 13, 2021 | 7:19 AMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
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A PAPAL WAVE - Pope John Paul II (right) acknowledges the cheers from the waving gallery of the Norman Manley International Airport shortly after he arrived in Jamaica at the start of a historic papal visit on August 9, 1990. A beaming Archbishop of Kingston, Samuel Carter, is obviously delighted at playing host to the Pontiff.
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OFFERING GOODWILL - Pope John Paul II with concern on his face, greets members of the Airport staff and civic leaders. Escorting the Pontiff was Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, and other high-ranking members of the clergy.
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On a historic visit to Jamaica, Pope John Paul II, perhaps one of those who can be tagged as helping the Roman Catholic Church earn more modern representation in the eyes of the public, believed something very import about the Caribbean. The Pope in a historic speech almost seemed to suggest that the region needed to unite if it were to overcome the many challenges that lay ahead of it all the way back in 1993.

Published Tuesday August 10, 1993

Historic Papal visit begins

Catholics rejoicing

By Eulalee Thompson: Gleaner Staff Reporter

WITH the traditional kiss of the soil, the spiritual leader of the world's 900 million Roman Catholics, Pope John Paul II, began his historic three-day visit to Jamaica yesterday, August 9, 1993.

The Athalia 747 airliner carrying the Pope, his entourage and about 60 pressmen, touched down at the Norman Manley International Airport at exactly 4:30 p.m., flying the Jamaican flag and the Pope's emblem.

A small crowd of Roman Catholic faithful were in the waving gallery of the airport to welcome the Pope. They played music, sang hymns, and every firing of the 21-gun salute was greeted with cheers and vigorous waving of souvenir flags with the emblem of Pope John Paul II.

"We feel great, we are filled with great expectation just like the homecoming of a long lost relative. We expect him to bring peace and to unite Jamaica," said parishioners of the Christ the King Roman Catholic Church of August Town.

Regional unity

This group of parishioners, along with a few priests and nuns, were on the waving gallery to welcome the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church on the first-ever papal visit to this country.

The Pope was met on arrival by Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, Prime Minister PJ Patterson, members of the Cabinet, the Opposition and members of the diplomatic corps.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour and meeting dignitaries, the Pope told the gathering that the immediate future of Jamaica is closely linked to the efforts being made throughout the Caribbean to increase regional unity.

Hundreds of Jamaicans, some on their way home from work, others just curious onlookers, lined the roads leading from the airport, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff. While parishioners of the St Benedict’s Church in Harbour View and the Holy Rosary Church on Windward Road created a carnival atmosphere by playing music and singing hymns, some used the occasion to hurl abuses at the Pope.

"I pray that greater integration will help the peoples of these island nations to face the many challenges before them," the Pope said at the airport. "The Church, for her part, looks favourably on everything that increases understanding and cooperation among countries."

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