Pope Francis' farewell: "I will always place my hopes in young people"
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday evening delivered his goodbye speech to all
those present at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao Airport gathered to see him on his way and
to say “farewell”. Brazilian President Dilma Roussef headed the delegation of political
and civil authorities together with a numerous contingent of Cardinals and Bishops
of the nation. In his address, Pope Francis thanked the President, his brother
Bishops and their collaborators, and the entire population of Brazil for making this
week “a splendid celebration of the richness and joy of our faith in Jesus Christ”.
And he expressed his gratitude for the work of event organizers and media operators.
And in particular he said his “gratitude goes to the many people who prayed, often
in silence and simplicity for this World Youth Day to be an authentic experience of
growth in faith”. But above all – Pope Francis said – “my thoughts turn to those
who are at the heart of these celebrations: the young people!” . “Many of you came
here as disciples” – he continued – “I have no doubt that all of you will leave as
missionaries”. And he urged them to help build a civilization of love: “Show, by
your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals,
it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks
for Christ and the Gospel”.
“I will always place my hopes in the young people
of Brazil” – Pope Francis said – “and in the young around the world: through them,
Christ is preparing a new springtime all over the earth”.
The Pope concluded
his farewell speech turning his thoughts to Our Lady of Aparecida and imploring Mary
to strengthen all Brazilians in the Christian faith.
Please find below
the full text of the Pope's discourse at the Farewell Ceremony:
Madam
President, Distinguished National, State and Local Authorities, Dear Archbishop
of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Dear Cardinals and Brother Bishops, Dear
Friends,
I am about to leave your country to return to Rome. I depart with
many happy memories which I know will nourish my prayers. Already I am beginning to
miss Brazil, this great people showing so much affection and friendship. I shall
miss the natural and warm smiles I have seen in so many faces, and the enthusiasm
shown by the volunteers. I shall miss the hope filling the eyes of the young people
in the Hospital of Saint Francis. I shall miss the faith and joy shown by the residents
of Varginha in the midst of their hardship. I know that Christ is truly present in
the lives of countless young people and in the lives of many whom I have met during
this unforgettable week. Thank you for the warm welcome and the friendship that have
been offered to me. This too I shall miss.
In particular, I would like to
thank Madam President for expressing the sentiments of the entire population of Brazil
towards the Successor of Peter. I warmly extend gratitude to my brother Bishops and
to their many collaborators for making this week a splendid celebration of the richness
and joy of our faith in Jesus Christ. I thank all those who took part in the eucharistic
celebrations and other events, and I thank those who organized them and those who
worked to broadcast them through the media. Finally, I wish to thank all those who
in one way or another rose to the challenge of hosting and organizing the large numbers
of young people. And not least my gratitude goes to the many people who prayed, often
in silence and simplicity, for this World Youth Day to be an authentic experience
of growth in faith. May God reward all of you, as only he can!
As I express
my thanks and bid farewell, my thoughts turn to those who are at the heart of these
celebrations: the young people! May God bless you for the beautiful witness of your
lives and for your intense and joyful participation over these last few days. Many
of you came here as disciples; I have no doubt that all of you will leave as missionaries.
Through your joyful witness and service, help to build a civilization of love. Show,
by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high
ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth
taking risks for Christ and his Gospel. It is he that we have come to seek because
he first sought us. It is he who has inflamed our hearts with the desire to take the
Good News to the large cities and to the small communities, to the countryside and
to all the corners of this vast planet. I will always place my hopes in the young
people of Brazil and in the young around the world: through them, Christ is preparing
a new springtime all over the earth. I have seen its first fruits and I know that
others will joyfully reap the full harvest.
Finally, my thoughts turn to Our
Lady of Aparecida, to whom I also bid farewell. In that beloved Shrine I knelt to
pray for the entire human family and in particular for all Brazilians. I implored
Mary to strengthen you in the Christian faith, which forms part of the noble soul
of Brazil, as indeed of many other countries; this faith is your culture’s treasure
and serves as encouragement and support in the task of building a renewed humanity
in harmony and solidarity.
As he departs, the Pope says to all of you affectionately:
“see you soon”. He asks you not to forget to pray for him. The Pope needs the prayers
of all of you. I offer you an affectionate embrace. May God bless you!