On january 25th,1979 the late Pope John Paul ll started his first pilmigrage to Latin America by visiting the Dominican Republic located in the first island settled by Chistopher Columbus which he discovered on 1492.

The Pope's visit became the focus of worldwide attention and a gigantic media event.

Among the crowd of thousands who were greeting His Holiness was one of the most famous movie actresses: Susan Sarandon.

At that time I was heading a photo crew which follow the Pope everywhere to record the historical event.

Paramount Pictures was sponsoring our photographic mission and Susan was a guest of Mr. Christian Ferris a French movie producer who was planning to make some movies using the Dominican landscapes as backdrops for several films.

Saws we had the opportunity to say hello to the American actress and help her to get some some strategical points from where she could take some shots of the Pope since she was carrying her camera.

John Paul's had such a charismatic presence that we could not help to fell touched by it.

And his message of Peace gave us hope for this turbulent modern world.

I could perceive that for Susan the Pope visit a strongs spiritual meaning for her. It was more than a photo shooting opportunity.

Susan dressed in white and did not behave like a big movie star at all.

Just a regular friendly girl.

She allowed to take some pictures of her without any complaints.

I still have to find them somewhere in my disorganized files.

Now whenever I see a Susan Sarandon movie I tell my wife , there's Susan Sarandon ,my friend.

Her movies are very special for me.

Pope Arrives in Dominican Republic

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By HOWARD FRENCH,

Published: October 10, 1992

Pope John Paul II arrived here tonight on a five-day visit planned around the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

In a 10-minute arrival statement, the Pope, looking slightly drawn, likened his visit to that of the first missionaries. Then, in a seeming allusion to the bitter dispute over Columbus's legacy, he said he had come on the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the New World "without a spirit of triumphalism, or false shame, but giving thanks to God."

Among the personalities to grace the island with their presence are icons like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Carlos Santana, George Hamilton, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Julio Iglesias. Jackson, if you recall, actually got married to Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in a private ceremony in 1994, and Julio Iglesias, the world famous Spanish singer, owns property in the DR, and has even become a Dominican citizen.

Athletes like Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds, Mike Tyson, and Jack Nicklaus have been among the some of the sports world’s brightest to travel south to the DR.

Even politicians, billionaires and royalty have found their way to the Dominican Republic. Former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush have made frequent visits to the island, along with the King of Morocco, his Majesty Mohammad IV, who recently threw a party for 300 members of his court on the island. Also seen enjoying the Caribbean sun is billionaire Bill Gates.

Singers like Chayanne, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira and Ja Rule, have also come to enjoy the beauties of this Caribbean nation.

American actors like Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Williams, Vin Diesel, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Chris Tucker, Andy Garcia, Matt Dillon, William Baldwin, Giancarlo Esposito, Mimi Rogers, Joe Pantoliano, Robert Davi and Marcia Gay Harden have also been spotted wandering along some of the Dominican Republic’s streets and beaches.