PRIME MINISTER
EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
ARRIVAL OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
RAAF BASE, FAIRBAIRN 24 NOVEMBER 1986
Your Holiness,
Welcome again to Australia.
On behalf of the Australian people and Government, may I
extend to you our best wishes for a most successful visit.
It is an honour to have you here and a pleasure to know that
over the next few days you will experience at first hand the
great warmth and respect that exist for you in this country.
Since you left Rome on 18 November we have watched your
progress towards our country with a growing sense of
excitement, knowing that awaiting you here was an
enthusiastic and heartfelt welcome.
For you come to us as a man for all people. Of course you
are here as the beloved pastor of the people of the Catholic
faith in particular. But all Australians will welcome you
as a prominent and respected messenger of the universal
values of peace and of hope and of justice.
So the Government is very pleased that you have been able to
accept our invitation, and that of the Australian Catholic
Bishops, to visit our country and meet our people.
This is only the second time Australia has hosted a visit by
the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Your distinguished
predecessor, Pope Paul VI, paid an all-too-brief visit to
Sydney in 1970. So we are delighted to welcome you at the
outset of such a long tour which will bring you into contact
with such a large number of Australians in so many parts of
this great continent.
This is of course not your first visit to Australia.
Thirteen years ago, as a Cardinal, you attended the
International Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne. But on
this occasion, you will visit all our States and
Territories. You will cross the country from coast to
coast, from East to West, and from Tasmania in the south to
the Northern Territory. You will see at first hand the
heart of our country.
This great expedition will allow you to meet the young and
the old, the sick and the disadvantaged, people of many
faiths, our Aboriginal people and those who have come from
other lands to join the Australian community.
The depth and extent of your pastoral concern for the people
of Australia are evident through the strenuous and full
schedule you are undertaking in the next six and a half
days. Indeed, your Holiness, you are undertaking an
itinerary which would be daunting to a man with less energy
and commitment.
You have the Government's fullest support in your efforts to
meet, encourage and inspire all Australians.
I know that during your meetings with us you will find
openness and friendship and great enthusiasm about your
presence among us.
I wish you a most rewarding and memorable stay.