Nicaragua Farewell Ceremony (4 March 1983)

On Friday, 4 March 1983, the Holy Father spoke as he prepared for departure from Nicaragua, thanking the Government Board, brother Bishops and all the people, for the courtesy of their welcome. 

Distinguished Members of the National Reconstruction Government Board
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate
Beloved Nicaraguans

Upon completing the second stage of my religious journey through Central America, which brought me to the lands of Nicaragua, I am ready to leave the nation's capital to continue my visit to neighboring countries.

And before leaving, I feel the duty to warmly thank the Government Board and those who collaborated in different ways, for the courtesy of their welcome and for the preparations carried out to make my arrival and contacts with the faithful of this beloved people possible. I also cordially appreciate what my dear brother Bishops did to prepare spiritually and materially for my meetings with the Catholic population, and their known availability to take upon themselves all the commitments that the Church normally assumes in such cases, in an atmosphere of free initiative and collaboration with ecclesiastics, members of religious congregations and responsible lay people or members of different sectors of the apostolate or ecclesiastical life. Also for all of them at this moment is the testimony of my admiration, my gratitude, my most cordial affection and encouragement, so that they may be faithful to their own condition.

Above all, I remember with deep comfort the meetings held in León and the Eucharist celebrated in Managua with so many of the country's faithful. And to which many others joined who, for various reasons, could not be present, to nourish their Christian faith, their inner conviction that unites them with so many millions of brothers who, especially today, look to them, pray with them and for them, in Central America and throughout the world.

These are members of the Nicaraguan ecclesial community, which has contributed so much to the history of the Nation, both in recent times and at the present time; who seeks in his right to freely live his faith the ideal motives that direct him towards good and fraternity; who wishes to advance along the path of justice and solidarity, without losing their own Christian and historical identity.

As I say goodbye to this dear people, I express all my affectionate esteem to them, I send a renewed reminder to all the Christians who would have wanted to meet me, I encourage them in their fidelity to their faith and to the Church, I bless them from the bottom of my heart — especially the elderly, children, the sick and those who suffer — and I assure them of my permanent prayer to the Lord, so that He will help them at all times.

God bless this Church! God watch and protect Nicaragua!

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