On his Departure from Paris (2 June 1980)

On Monday, 2 June 1980, the Holy Father, preparing to depart from Paris, thanked the “agents of social communication,” the police for keeping good order, and the Secretariat of the Episcopate, for aiding in the success of his journey.

My trip is coming to an end, as far as the capital is concerned. I am very happy with all the contacts he has allowed me to benefit from; I'm getting used to busy schedules, but I don't think we could do much more this time around! I have appreciated the opportunities given to me to express what my responsibilities dictate to me. I also “recorded” many testimonials; what I saw and heard will be for me material for other reflections and especially the object of prayer. It is a rich experience!

But it's up to you, journalists, to report the facts, to describe things, to highlight the essential, let's say to bear witness in all truth to the event and to make it grasp the real stakes. I hope that's what you did. This is what honors your function and its constraints, which I have often had the opportunity to talk about. Today, I only wanted to thank you, and to thank with you all the agents of social communications, press, radio, television. In France, your skill and your equipment allow you to achieve technically very neat achievements. You have a demanding audience! I offer you all my best wishes, with my gratitude.

I must also say a very big thank you to all the members of the police, entrusting those who represent them here to speak for them to their colleagues. It was up to you, not only to watch over me, but to ensure the good order of the countless crowds, especially yesterday at Le Bourget, and I am very aware of the extra work that was asked of you on this occasion. I apologize to you and your families. It was your honor to provide the best hospitality to the Pope and at the same time to serve the French people in their desire to take part in these gatherings, because it is indeed the French people who spontaneously wanted it. Without prolonging, I would like you to know that I appreciate your often too little recognized public service. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to say it in Rome to a group of French policemen, pilgrims of “Police and humanism”. Such are indeed the feelings that I always have towards your persons and towards your function.

But many other people had to work intensely for several weeks for this trip, to plan the details with French precision. Besides those of the Nunciature whom I have already thanked, I am thinking of those of the Secretariat of the Episcopate and of all the services which collaborated with this Secretariat to coordinate the whole. I would not like to forget any of those who discreetly devoted themselves, beyond ordinary work, to coping with the event. I pray the Lord to reward all that you have done for his Servant and for your brothers, and with all my heart I bless your families and those who are dear to you.

© Copyright 1980 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana