Full Text of Pope Benedict XVI's Remarks at Farewell Ceremony

(10 Sept. 07 -RV) Below is the full text of Pope Benedict XVI's remarks at the farewell ceremony in Austria on Sunday evening...


Address of the Holy Father
Departure Ceremony
Vienna, Airport
Sunday, 9 September 2007



Mr President,
Members of the Austrian Government,
Civil Authorities,
Your Eminence,
Dear Brother Bishops,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

As I prepare to leave Austria at the conclusion of my pilgrimage for the 850^th anniversary of the National Shrine of Mariazell, I recall with gratitude these days filled with memorable experiences. I feel that I have come to know even better this beautiful country and its people.

I offer heartfelt thanks to my Brother Bishops, to the Government, to the public authorities and, not least, to the many volunteers who assisted in the organization of this visit. I pray that you will share richly in the graces we have received in these days. My sincere thanks go to you, Mr President, for your gracious words of farewell and for accompanying me on this pilgrimage.

Once again I was able to experience Mariazell as a particularly grace-filled place, a place which in these days welcomed all of us and gave us inner strength for the road ahead. The throngs of people who joined in our celebration in the Basilica, in Mariazell itself and throughout Austria should inspire us, with Mary, to look to Christ and, as persons whom God looks upon with love, to face with courage the future of this country, of the continent and of the whole world.
At the very beginning of my pilgrimage, our common prayer in the Square “Am Hof” brought us together in a way which transcended national borders and directly introduced us to Austria’s open hospitality, which is one of this country’s finest qualities.

May the quest for mutual understanding, and the creative development of ever new ways of building trust between individuals and peoples, inspire the national and international policies of this nation. Vienna, faithful to its rich history and its location in the vital centre of Europe, can offer a specific contribution in this regard, by consistently helping to bring the traditional values of the continent, values shaped by the Christian faith, to the European institutions and to the work of promoting international, intercultural and interreligious relations.

On life’s pilgrimage we frequently pause to consider with gratitude the progress already made, and to look with prayerful hope at the road still before us. I made just such a stop at the monastery of Heiligenkreuz. The tradition cultivated there by the Cistercian monks puts us in touch with our roots, whose strength and beauty ultimately derive from God himself. The Pontifical Theological Academy located in the monastery is a reminder that the treasures we have received from the past constantly call for new and deeper contemplation and reflection, so that we can hand them on, in fidelity to the Gospel and the doctrine of the Church.

Today I celebrated Sunday, the Lord’s Day with you – representing all the parishes of Austria – in the Cathedral of Saint Stephen, the principal Church of Vienna. This gave me an opportunity to be united in a special way with the faithful in all the parishes of Austria.

For me, a very moving moment was my meeting with volunteers from the charitable organizations which are so many and varied in Austria. The thousands of volunteers I was able to see represent the many thousands more who, throughout the country, by their readiness to help others, daily portray humanity’s noblest features, wherein believers can recognize the love of Christ.

Gratitude and joy fill my heart at this moment. To all of you who have been with me during these days, to all who put so much effort and hard work into making this very full programme proceed so smoothly, and to all who joined in my pilgrimage and shared in our celebrations, I once more express my deep gratitude. As I leave you, I entrust the present and the future of this country to the intercession of the Gracious Mother of Mariazell, Magna Mater Austriae, and to all the saints and beati of Austria. With them we want to look to Christ, our life and our hope. With great affection I offer to one and all a sincere “Vergelt’s Gott”!