|
Pope Benedict XVI- Apostolic Journey to the Holy Land |
"It
Is Principally as a Pilgrim and a Pastor That I Have Come"
Farewell Address to Jordan
H.H. Benedict XVI
Queen Alia International Airport
May 11, 2009
Your Majesties,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
As I prepare for the next stage of my pilgrimage to the lands of the
Bible, I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome that I have
received in Jordan over these last few days. I thank His Majesty
King Abdullah II for inviting me to visit the Hashemite Kingdom, for
his hospitality and his kind words. I also express my appreciation
for the immense effort that has gone into making my visit possible,
and ensuring the orderly unfolding of the various meetings and
celebrations that have taken place. The public authorities, assisted
by a great number of volunteers, have worked long and hard in order
to direct the crowds and organize the different events. The media
coverage has enabled countless people to follow the celebrations
even if they could not be physically present. As well as thanking
those who have made this possible, I wish to extend a special
greeting to all who are listening on the radio or watching on
television, especially the sick and those confined to their homes.
It has been a particular joy for me to be present at the launching
of a number of major initiatives promoted by the Catholic community
here in Jordan. The new wing of the Regina Pacis Centre will open up
fresh possibilities of bringing hope to those who struggle with
difficulties of various kinds, and to their families. The two
churches to be built in Bethany will enable their respective
communities to welcome pilgrims and to foster the spiritual growth
of all who worship in that holy place. The University at Madaba has
a particularly important contribution to offer to the wider
community, in forming young people from various traditions in the
skills that will enable them to shape the future of civil society.
To all who are involved in these projects, I offer good wishes and
the promise of my prayers.
One of the highlights of these days was my visit to the Mosque
Al-Hussein Bin Talal, where I had the pleasure of meeting Muslim
religious leaders together with members of the diplomatic corps and
University Rectors. I would like to encourage all Jordanians,
whether Christian or Muslim, to build on the firm foundations of
religious tolerance that enable the members of different communities
to live together in peace and mutual respect. His Majesty the King
has been notably active in fostering inter-religious dialogue, and I
want to put on record how much his commitment in this regard is
appreciated. I also gratefully acknowledge the particular
consideration that he shows towards the Christian community in
Jordan. This spirit of openness not only helps the members of
different ethnic communities in this country to live together in
peace and concord, but it has contributed to Jordan's far-sighted
political initiatives to build peace throughout the Middle East.
Dear Friends: as you know, it is principally as a pilgrim and a
pastor that I have come to Jordan. Hence the experiences from these
days that will remain most firmly etched in my memory are my visits
to the holy places and the moments of prayer that we celebrated
together. Once again I want to express the appreciation of the whole
Church to those who look after the places of pilgrimage in this
land, and I also thank the many people who contributed to the
planning of Saturday's Vespers in Saint George's Cathedral and
yesterday's Mass at the International Stadium. It was truly a joy
for me to experience these Eastertide celebrations in company with
the Catholic faithful from different traditions, united in the
Church's communion and in witness to Christ. I encourage all of them
to remain faithful to their baptismal commitment, mindful that
Christ himself received baptism from John in the waters of the river
Jordan.
As I bid you farewell, I want you to know that I hold in my heart
the people of the Hashemite Kingdom and all who live throughout this
region. I pray that you may enjoy peace and prosperity, now and for
generations to come. Thank you once again. And may God bless all of
you!
© Innovative Media, Inc.
Look
at the One they Pierced!
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
