Letter to the Chilean Nation (12 June 1982)

In a Letter to the Chilean Nation, the Holy Father assured them of his continued prayer for them in the current conflict, recalling his efforts to mediate between Argentina and Great Britain.

To the dear sons and daughters of the Chilean nation

My fraternal meeting with a group of your Bishops, present in this sister nation, ideally brings me to you and makes more intense the longing I have felt for a long time to find myself in your land to directly breathe the reality and depth of values ​​with which God has enriched you and to encourage you to continue faithfully in the realization of the human commitments and the Christian mission that He has entrusted to you.

I know you would have liked to have me among you now. I understand your wishes, and I truly regret not being able to satisfy them on this occasion. You know the specific reason for my new and very rapid visit to the dear South American continent: the pastoral trip to Great Britain, absolutely essential for multiple reasons and the serious conflict that has been pitting this nation against Argentina for some weeks, have pushed me to demonstrate promptly My commitment to achieving peace and meeting personally with the children of both countries is visible, raising fervent prayers to the common Father so that the dramatic situation which is giving rise to intense pain and unspeakable worries may cease as soon as possible.

I confess to you that since January 1979, when your government and the Argentine government asked me to help them, as a mediator, in the conflict in the southern zone, I have been longing for the moment when I will be granted the priceless grace of visiting at the same time the children of both nations, to join in everyone's joy in giving thanks to God for the definitive conclusion of this controversy and for the perennial consolidation of peace and friendship between the two countries so dear to me.

From here, crossing in spirit the Andean Cordillera which, embraced by Christ the Redeemer, closely links your nation to Argentina, I kneel before Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the sanctuary of Maipù - as I did in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lujan with your Argentine brothers - and together with you I ask Our Most Holy Mother to obtain the favor that these wishes can soon be fulfilled, in a pastoral visit to both countries.

From now on I confirm to you the profound affection I feel for the Chilean people and I assure you that I will remember you in a special way during these short hours that I spend so close to you. I also pray for your spiritual and material well-being. Receive my most cordial apostolic blessing.

Buenos Aires, 12 June 1982.

© Copyright 1982 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

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