Farewell Ceremony

On Tuesday, 15 June 1982, the Holy Father bade farewell to Geneva at the Cointrin Airport before returning to Rome.

Dear Representatives of the Federal Council of the Cantonal and Municipal Government of Geneva,
Director General of the International Labor Organization,
and all of you who came to greet me at my departure.

I owe heartfelt thanks to all those who welcomed me so well to this hospitable country, to this deservedly famous city, to the headquarters of these international organizations.

I am very grateful to the authorities of the Federal Government of the Swiss Confederation for having allowed this trip to Geneva to be carried out in the best possible conditions, the second after the Council that a Pope makes in Switzerland. I also thank the cantonal and municipal authorities of Geneva for having arranged everything with equal courtesy and efficiency.

I would like to express my particular gratitude to you, Mr. Director General of the OIT, since it is you who promoted this trip, who renewed my invitation and who allowed me to speak in front of all the participants in the 68th Conference of your Organization, to also meet the groups of delegates and officials of the International Labor Office.

I thank the Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and CERN who so kindly welcomed me into their home, and also the other personalities of other organizations who made a point of greeting me, and some of whom had also invited me.

I am also pleased to greet the representatives of the other Christian Churches. As is their wish, it will be possible for us to deepen our contacts and conversations in the context of the pastoral visit that I will be allowed to make to Switzerland. We have many things in common!

To the dear Catholics of Switzerland, and to each of their Pastors, I renew my affection and encouragement. I know that many other dioceses in Switzerland would like to receive me, and that they had even carefully prepared, since last year, my visit which had to be canceled at the last minute. I hope that this visit of mine will only be postponed to the near future, because I too would like to gather the testimony of your Christian communities on site.

I formulate and bring before God in prayer my best wishes for all of you, for this country that is a friend of peace, for this Church, for these international organizations which have their headquarters at the crossroads of world problems. With all my heart, I invoke upon you and your activities the blessings of God, who always inspires in those who are loyal, available and generous, plans for peace, justice and brotherhood.

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