Farewell Ceremony (15 May 1982)

At the Farewell Ceremony in Porto, on Saturday, 15 May 1982, the Holy Father spoke of Catholic Portugal, for which “the Virgin Mary has reserved a treatment of singular predilection.”

Most Excellent Mr President of the Republic,
dear friends of Portugal,
my beloved brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

1. The time has come for farewell, for farewell. It is always a moment full of thoughts and feelings. We would like to use it well to relive the time we spent together, to ratify the friendship, to not forget anything, and finally, to do everything possible to ensure that our mutual presence continues. At this moment, in me, in all of this, the feeling of gratitude prevails: the most sincere gratitude for the great cordiality with which I was welcomed in every place where I passed and stopped, in the unfolding of this short but intense pilgrimage in Portugal.

Before leaving you, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone: to His Excellency the President of the Republic, who wanted to honor me with his presence here at this moment, to my brother Bishops of Portugal, who in many ways have testified to my their fraternal charity, making this meeting a privileged opportunity to forge bonds of communion that bind us in the one Church of Christ; to the Government and to all the civil and military authorities, who committed themselves to doing everything they could, with respectful delicacy, to ensure that my pastoral program was realized and who offered every dedication in its implementation. To all dear friends of Portugal, many thanks!

In this thanksgiving and farewell greetings, I would not like to forget anyone. It is impossible to refer to everyone, people, groups and entities, to whom I express my gratitude. That every Portuguese and in particular the Catholic faithful, all men and women, children or inhabitants of this "Land of Saint Mary", those who I had the pleasure of meeting personally and those who accompanied me, in some way, with the means audiovisual companies - to whom I wish to express gratitude - feel embraced by my esteem.

2. I carry away in my soul the emotion felt in front of the continuous demonstrations of affection with which you have surrounded me in these days, with such spontaneous and enthusiastic warmth, which I will never be able to forget. They told me that in Portugal, in the countryside, the doors are always open. I found the doors of hearts open. Imagine that I entered and that I greeted each of you, with your significant: "God save you!".

In leaving this land, where the glorious traditions of the past join the important achievements of the present, in a courageous openness to the prospect of a future of hope, I wish to renew the highest appreciation for the various components that enliven social structures, formulating the best best wishes so that, thanks to unanimous and loyal collaboration, continuous progress may become ever more real, through justice, freedom and peace.

The Virgin Mary has reserved for Portugal a treatment of singular predilection, which is a title of honor and, at the same time, a reason for particular and solid coherence in fidelity to the Gospel. All the faithful must have a keen awareness of this, and commit themselves to cultivating those human and Christian values ​​that have made this nation great. In these days I have been able to personally verify the treasures of goodness, cordiality and faith that distinguish this strong and lovable people. In particular, in Fátima, at the feet of Mary, I felt the soul of the entire nation vibrate around me.

Yes, the soul of Catholic Portugal: how many things he has told me in recent days, even without speaking! And how many I wanted to communicate to him too, with words, gestures and silences! It was an extraordinarily profound spiritual experience for me, the sweet memory of which I keep in the most intimate of my hearts. And in my heart I also keep your faces, dear brothers and sisters of Portugal, the imploring eyes of your sick people and the sweetness of the smiles of your children. It is a precious enrichment that I carry with me and which I will take advantage of in the activities of my daily pastoral service.

With the certainty of my prayers, imploring the Lord so that the great Christian and human principles that have guided this Nation continue to illuminate its life with the sense of God and solidarity, this supplication blossoms from the most intimate part of my soul:

May God's blessing descend upon all Portuguese, may it bring abundant gifts of light, joy and peace!

And may She who has reserved for Portugal a very singular manifestation of loving concern from her Motherly Heart, our Lady of Fátima, mediate in order to obtain these favors for us.

Until we meet again! Goodbye!

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