JOURNEY TO INDIA

WELCOME CEREMONY AT THE AIRPORT OF BOMBAY

ADDRESS OF PAUL VI

2 December 1964

Mister Vice President, Mister Prime Minister,

We rejoice in the honour and pleasure of meeting you, We thank you for your great kindness in coming, at the cost of no little sacrifice, to bid Us welcome to your land, and We salute you and the members of the Government of India with deference and respect.

Great indeed is Our joy in finding Ourself among the Indian people, on the occasion of an important religious event, the International Eucharistic Congress in Bombay. At last, We can come to know this immense and populous land, and to manifest in person Our friendship and admiration to the great and noble people of India, so untiring in its efforts for world peace, so industrious in seeking prosperity in harmony and concord with the other nations of the world.

We come as a pilgrim; a pilgrim of peace, of joy, of serenity and love. We greet all the Indian people, every man, woman and child; and We extend Our greeting to all the nations of Asia, to every nation in the world. May they always remember that all men are brothers under the fatherhood of the Divinity; may they learn to love one another, to respect one another, to avoid violating the natural rights of others, may they ever strive to respect these rights in truth, in justice and in love.

For these holy desires, We shall offer Our prayers during the days of the Congress; and We invoke upon all of you who hear Our voice an abundance of divine blessings. Jai Hind!