To the Inhabitants of Ribera del Jucar (8 November 1982)

On Monday, 8 November 1982, the Holy Father visited the inhabitants of Ribera del Júcar in Valencia. The Pope commiserated with them over the loss of loved ones in a recent flood.

Dear brothers and sisters.

I felt it was a duty and an impulse of the heart, before concluding my stay in Valencia, to pay a special visit to you, inhabitants of the Ribera del Júcar. I have come here to be closer to you who suffer from the loss of loved ones and also from the enormous material damage caused by the floods of recent days, especially among the populations of Alcira, Carcgente and other inhabited centers.

This visit is intended to be a sign of my closeness and solidarity with you in times of pain. And I wish that the words I speak in this place and to the people present here also reach the other affected areas and each of their inhabitants, because I have come for everyone.

My presence is also intended to be a demonstration of esteem for the solidarity that has been shown to you so far and which I trust will continue as long as necessary; in fact, it is above all for the needy man that others must be brothers. Next to the man who suffers there must always be another to assist him and keep him company. Charity and the humanitarian sense cannot remain indifferent in the face of death and destruction. For this reason, all initiatives aimed at rebuilding your homes as soon as possible and helping you recover your jobs must be encouraged; thus the environment will be reconstituted in which your life can recover serenity and hope.

I urge you to lift your gaze to God, while I affectionately leave my cordial blessing to those present and to all the inhabitants of the other affected areas - especially the wounded, the sick and the grieving families.

Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastery for Communication - Libreria Editrice Vaticana