Radio Message During Flight to Gaspé (9 September 1984)
ShareOn Sunday, 9 September 1984, the Holy Father sent a radio message to Canada on his flight to Gaspé.
Hail, cross of Jesus, sign of our hope.
Hello, Gaspé cross. Here, 450 years ago, Jacques Cartier planted the cross.
In the presence of the first inhabitants of this region, he knelt with his men to venerate the standard of our salvation.
Here, Jacques Cartier began a new page in the history of the world and of the Church.
Cross of Gaspé, guide our steps towards the Lord.
On this day, I pay moving tribute to the intrepid faith of the men and women who, following Jacques Cartier, agreed to cross the seas to establish the faith and the Church in Canada.
Greetings to you, Canadians, and to you more particularly, people of Gaspé whose life is so intimately linked to the land, the forest and the sea.
Greetings to you, Native Americans and Inuit who have lived here since time immemorial. May you always live in full recognition of your dignity and your rights.
I call to mind all the great pioneers who contributed to the building of this wide, prosperous and peaceful country. Let us pray God that it will keep on growing in the light of the Cross, which is still for its inhabitants a "tree of life" (Apoc. 2, 7). To all, I offer my Blessing.
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