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An Air India jet landed Pope Paul VI at the Bombay airport in late afternoon on Dec.2, 1965, amid a million cheering Indians, mostly Hindus, and drove through streets lined by thousands of other Indians who welcomed him to India for the 38th International Eucharistic Congress at Bombay. Paul VI greeted them with the Namaste, folded hands before the face and a bow of the head. The anti-catholic feelings of a small minority had no chance to be displayed. It was the first visit in modern times of a reigning pontiff to any country except the Holy Land. At the Congress he consecrated six bishops one from each of the continents, who then walked around the great altar at the Oval (L.25) giving their blessings to the 250,000 people present. The Indians were impressed with Paul's simplicity, whether at the religious ceremonies of the Congress, or protocol required by his visit as a head of state, or among the children and suffering at the orphanages and hospitals, which occupied his day from early morning to midnight. Seeing the poverty of India he said "Would that nations would cease the armaments race and devote their resources and energies instead to the fraternal assistance of developing countries. Would that every nation, thinking thought of peace and not of affliction and war, would contribute even a part of its expenditure for arms to a great world fund for the relief of the many problems of nutrition, clothing, shelter and medical care which effect so many people. From this peaceful altar of the Eucharistic Congress may this anguished cry go forth to all the governments of the world and may God inspire them to undertake this peaceful battle against the sufferings of their less fortunate brethren". The Pontiff bestowed the Order of the Golden Spur, one of the 5 pontifical orders of knighthood, on President Radhakrishnan of India. The Hindus, most of humble origin, saw Pope Paul VI as "a great holy man", of whom even a glimpse provided its special blessing. Pope Paul: "I hope to meet many of the faithful and other men. I hope it will contribute to peace and be a witness to goodwill". Alitalia flew the pontiff back to Rome on Dec.5, 1965. Stamps: Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 400 - 403 Date Issued - 02 December 1964 Face Value - 15 l, 25 l, 60 l, 200 l Perforations - 14 Printer - The Italian State Printing Works |
| (From Vatican Notes Volume XIII, Number 5, March - April 1965, Page 1) |
