Pope Leo XIV Invited to Visit Trinidad and Tobago

Roman Catholic Archbishop Fr. Jason Gordon has revealed that an official invitation has been extended to Pope Leo XIV to visit Trinidad and Tobago. The invitation was formally delivered during discussions at the Antilles Episcopal Conference meeting in Rome, Italy. Gordon confirmed that both the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the Archdiocese of Port of Spain collaborated on this initiative.

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We just have to wait, and pray and see.

During his recent visit to Rome, Gordon personally handed a copy of the invitation to the Secretary of State at the Vatican. He stated, "The Central Government and the Archdiocese of Port of Spain have invited Pope Leo XIV to visit. During last month’s visit to Rome, we said: ‘We would like you to visit this region.’" The Vatican has not rejected the proposal, with Gordon noting that the Secretary of State acknowledged the invitation and listened to the request. "We just have to pray and hope and wait and see," Gordon added.

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The Central Government and the Archdiocese of Port of Spain have invited Pope Leo XIV to visit. During last month’s visit to Rome, we said: “We would like you to visit this region. The government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Archdiocese would like you to visit.” It (invitation) is being delivered to you as we speak. An official copy went to the nuncio (papal ambassador). I took a copy and handed it to the Secretary of State.”

This potential visit builds on historical papal engagements in the region. The last papal visit to the Caribbean was by Pope John Paul II, who made stops in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru at the end of his 25th apostolic visit. Pope John Paul II visited Trinidad and Tobago on February 5, 1985. During that visit, he remarked on the nation's name reflecting a spiritual identity rooted in the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

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The fact is we raised it with the Secretary of State when we visited him and he acknowledged. We just have to pray and hope and wait and see. He did not turn it down and not only that he listened.

Recent reports indicate Pope Leo XIV recently led a Mass in Madrid attended by over a million people, where he urged Europe to recognize Christianity's role in shaping its cultural identity. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the first U.S.-born pope and holds both United States and Peruvian citizenship.

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Permit me to begin, dear brothers and sisters, by venerating the Most Holy Trinity, whose name your country bears: Trinidad and Tobago. Glory to you, O Trinity!