Address to the President of Zaire (2 May 1980)

On Friday, 2 May 1980, the Holy Father addressed the President of Zaire*, to whom he spoke of his desire that his passage through the land might give testimony to “the message of Christ's love that I would like to bring to every family, to every inhabitant.”

Mr. President:

1. In the afternoon of this first day on Zairian soil, so many thoughts already come to my mind that words accumulate to express what I feel. Is it the emotion of contact, so desired and finally realized, with the peoples of Africa, starting with Zaire? Is it the welcome that has been given to me, both upon arrival and already in the city of Kinshasa? Is it the enthusiasm of the population and especially of the Catholic population that has been able to find a place, with great difficulty, in the cathedral and its surroundings?

I certainly do not know what will be the memory that will be most deeply engraved in someone who begins today a visit that is highly expected and that he would like to fully correspond to his double objective of a fraternal and cordial greeting of the spiritual Head of the Catholic Church to the African nations, and sincere encouragement to the local Churches.

2. It is necessary to underline —and I will not fail to mention it in the circumstances that may arise— the essentially religious character of this journey that begins, and I am glad about it, in Zaire. Each stage, however, will offer opportunities to meet with the civil authorities. It is about more than observing a custom of courtesy that allows us to thank those who receive us with such generous hospitality and also thank them for the meticulous and complete organization of my stay here. In this regard, Mr. President, I fully appreciate everything that Your Excellency and his collaborators have done to facilitate and ultimately ensure - there is no doubt about it - the success of my visit. Allow me to say this before the high personalities gathered here, some of whom have not bargained for their contribution to the extent of their personal responsibilities.

It is clear that I also attach great importance to interviews with those who hold civil power in their hands. These are many other occasions to change points of view, in a constructive way, on the most fundamental problems for man, his spiritual dimension, his dignity and his future; as well as on peace and harmony between peoples, on the freedom that the Church requests to announce the Gospel in the name of respect for consciences, recognized in most of the constitutions or organic laws of the States. The Second Vatican Council seems to encourage the multiplication of conversations of this type when it says: "The political community and the Church are independent and autonomous, each on its own ground. Both, however, although by different titles, they are at the service of man's personal and social vocation. They will carry out this service with all the greater efficiency, for the good of all, the healthier and better the cooperation between them... Man, in fact, is not limited to the mere temporal horizon, but rather, subject of human history, fully maintains his eternal vocation" (Gaudium et spes , 76, 3).

3. Having already had the satisfaction of receiving Your Excellency in the Vatican last year, I congratulate myself on this new dialogue of ours , which will surely promote understanding and prove particularly fruitful. Hence the attention with which I have listened to your reflections. I am truly convinced that if African issues should be the business of Africans and should not suffer pressure or interference from any bloc or eventual group of interests, their correct solution will not fail to influence others in a beneficial way. continents.

But it will also be convenient, for this, that the other peoples learn to receive from the African peoples. They not only need material and technical help. They also need to offer their heart, their wisdom, their culture, their sense of man, their sense of God, which many others do not have so developed. In this circumstance, I would like to launch a solemn appeal to the world, not only for help, but also for international union , that is, for that exchange with which each of the parties contributes constructively to the progress of humanity.

4. I would also like everyone to know, from the first moment of this trip, the feelings that the Pope experiences looking at Africa as a friend, as a brother. That he feels a deep joy in participating in the concerns of many regarding peace, the problems posed by growth and poverty and, in a word, the problems of man. The source of this joy is seeing that there have been numerous, over the last few years, the populations that have been able to achieve national sovereignty, concluding a sometimes delicate process, but which has allowed them to reach the choice of their future. .

This is a phenomenon that I understand very well, if only because of my personal origins. I know, because I have lived through them, the efforts carried out by my people for their sovereignty. I know what it means to claim the right to self-determination, in the name of justice and national dignity. Certainly, this is nothing more than a stage, because self-determination still needs to remain effective and be accompanied by a real participation of citizens in the conduct of their own destiny: in this way, progress can also benefit more equitably to all. Certainly, freedom should play its role at all levels in political and social life. The unity of a people also calls for persevering action, respectful of legitimate peculiarities and carried out in a harmonious way at the same time.

5. Now, I would like to turn my gaze, above this assembly, towards the entire Zairean people and express my satisfaction at meeting them. Certainly, there are programming requirements and it will not be possible to go to all the regions to visit the towns that I also hold dear. May, at least, the passage through some parts of the country be a concrete testimony of the message of Christ's love that I would like to bring to every family, to every inhabitant, both Catholics and those who do not share the same faith. The Zairians represent a hope for the Church and for Africa. It is up to them, as good citizens, to continue their action in order to advance their country, in a spirit of justice and honesty, opening themselves up to the true values ​​of man.(cf. Redemptor hominis , 18). I ask God to help you in this noble task and bless your efforts.

I thank you, Mr. President, for all you have done for me from the moment that, like the Episcopate of the country, you have so cordially invited me to Zaire. I will not forget the lofty words of your address and I present to you, as well as to the members of the Government and to all those who honor me with their presence, my greetings and best wishes.

* L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly Edition in Spanish, no. 19, p.4.

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana