Farewell Ceremony in Panama (5 March 1983)

On Saturday, 5 March 1983, the Holy Father bade farewell to Panama in a  ceremony at Panama City Airport.

Mr. President,
Dear brothers in the Episcopate
and all Panamanians,

The time has come to leave this beloved Nation, where the brevity of my stay was compensated by its intensity and by the warm meeting of so many children of this land with the Pope, during the journeys and the main events of the visit.

The Mass with the Families and the celebration of the Word with the beloved Peasants , which constituted fundamental points of my visit, and whose message I leave to you as a testimony of affection of the passing, among you, of the Successor of Pedro.

First of all, I would like to thank the President and all the Authorities for the great attention they gave me. I would also like to thank all the people who, in one way or another, perhaps even in a hidden way, collaborated effectively in preparing and carrying out the visit. I especially thank my brother Bishops of this Church, the Clergy, the men and women religious, as well as the lay people of the apostolic movements for their exemplary dedication. I also thank all the Panamanian people, the children, young people and adults, for their warm welcome.

At the headquarters of your highest national institution, I know that there are five bronze statues that represent the qualities that all children of this land must possess: work, constancy, duty, justice and law. I hope these basic values ​​of the person and society are increased by spiritual richness, and above all by a Christian faith that inspires your entire coexistence and leads you to ever higher goals.

As I remember your faces with immense affection, I am sure that this country will appear in my mind like a large orchid, your national flower, also called the flower of the Holy Spirit. I fervently hope that it will always be a living symbol of your fidelity to the Christian faith, with the help of the Spirit of Christ.

Before leaving you, I give you all, both near and far, a cordial Blessing, particularly to children, the elderly and the sick. God always bless Panama and all its children!

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