Monday, September 4, 2017

Video greetings to Colombia

The Holy Father has sent a video message to the people of Colombia in anticipation of his imminent Apostolic Visit which will take place from September 6-11, 2017.


Video Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to the people of Colombia

Dear people of Colombia, in a few days' time, I will visit your country.  I am coming as a pilgrim of hope and of peace to celebrate with you the faith of our Lord and also to learn from your charity and your perseverance in seeking peace and harmony.

I cordially greet and thank your President and the Bishops of your Episcopal Conference for their invitation to visit Colombia.  I also thank every one of you who who will welcome me into your land and into your hearts.  I know that you have worked - and you have worked very hard - to prepare for our encounter.  My thanks extend to all those who have worked together and who continue to work on making our visit a reality.

Let's take the first step is the motto for this voyage.  It reminds us that we always need to take the first step no matter the activity or project.  It also inspires us to be the first to love, to build bridges, to create fraternity.  Taking the first steps encourages us to go out in order to meet others, to extend a hand and to exchange signs of peace.  Peace is what Colombia is looking for and an aim that she has been working toward for a long time.  Stable and lasting peace so that we can see one another and treat each other as brothers, not as enemies.  Peace reminds us that we are all children of the same Father who loves us and comforts us.  It is an honour for me to visit that land, so rich in history, culture, faith, men and women who have worked with determination and perseverance to make it a place where harmony and fraternity prevail, where the Gospel is known and loved, where calling one another brother and sister is not something strange, but truly a treasure to be protected and defended.  The world needs people who can teach us about peace and dialogue.  The Church too is called to this task, to promoting reconciliation with the Lord and with brothers, but also reconciliation with the environment which is God's creation and which we are exploiting without abandon.

May this visit be like a fraternal embrace for each of you and may you experience the consolation and the tenderness of the Lord.

Dear Colombian brothers and sisters, I wish to experience these days with you in a spirit of joy, with gratitude to the Lord.  I embrace you all with affection and I ask the Lord to bless you, to protect your country and to grant you His peace.  And I ask our Mother, the Holy Virgin to care for you.  Don't forget to pray for me.

Thank you; see you soon.

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