The Welcome Ceremony in Nicaragua (4 March 1983)

On Friday, 4 March 1983, the Holy Father spoke at the at the welcoming ceremony in Managua, Nicaragua, saying that he had come as "a messenger of peace, as an encourager of hope, as a servant of faith, to support the faithful in their fidelity to Christ and his Church, to encourage them with a word of love, which instills feelings of fraternity and reconciliation in their minds. 

Distinguished Members of the National Reconstruction Government Board,
Beloved Brothers in the Episcopate,
Dear brothers and sisters:

1. Upon setting foot on the soil of Nicaragua, my first thought is of God, who gives the possibility of visiting this land of lakes and volcanoes, and above all this noble people, so rich in faith and Christian traditions.

I also want to express my greetings to all the authorities. With my sincere thanks to the National Reconstruction Government Board, who invited me to visit this country, and whose Members had the deference to come and welcome me on my apostolic journey.

I then cordially greet those who are my Brothers in the Episcopate, the Bishops of the Church of Christ in Nicaragua, and first of all the dear D. Miguel Obando Bravo, Archbishop of the diocese that welcomes me and President of the Episcopal Conference. They invited me several times to visit their beloved people.

But my greeting extends with great affection to all the people of Nicaragua. Not only to those who were able to come and meet me or are listening to me in different ways at this meeting, and to those with whom I will meet in León or Managua, during these hours of stay among you, which I would like to have been longer, but especially to the thousands and thousands of Nicaraguans who were unable to come — as they would have liked — to the meeting places; to those who cannot do so because of distances or their occupations; those who are unable to do so due to work commitments; to the sick, the elderly and children; to those who have suffered or are suffering because of violence — from whatever source —; to the victims of injustice and to those who provide their service for the good of the Nation.

2. A mission of a religious nature is what brings me to Nicaragua; I come as a messenger of peace, as a encourager of hope, as a servant of faith, to support the faithful in their fidelity to Christ and his Church, to encourage them with a word of love, which instills feelings of fraternity and reconciliation in their minds. .

In the name of the One who out of love gave his life for the liberation and redemption of all men, I would like to make a contribution to ending the suffering of innocent people in this area of ​​the world; so that bloody conflicts, hatred and sterile accusations end, leaving space for genuine dialogue. A dialogue that is a concrete and generous offering of a meeting of good will and not possible justification for continuing to foment divisions and violence.

I also come to launch an appeal for peace to those who, inside or outside this geographical area — wherever they are — favor in one way or another ideological, economic or military tensions that impede the free development of these peoples who love peace, fraternity and true human, spiritual, social, civil and democratic progress.

To the Virgin Mary, so venerated by the faithful people of Nicaragua in her mystery of the Most Pure Conception, I commend this visit, at the same time as I impart my cordial Blessing to everyone.

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