Welcoming Ceremony in Dublin (September 29, 1979)

On 29 September 1979, Holy Father was welcomed in Dublin to Ireland, on his first Apostolic Journey. There he expressed his gratitude to "set foot on Irish soil."

Moladh go dee le Dia!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

It is with immense joy and with profound gratitude tο the Most Holy Trinity that I set foot today on Irish soil.

I come tο you as a servant of Jesus Christ, a herald of his Gospel of justice and love, as Bishop of Rome, as Successor of the Apostle Peter. And in the words of Peter I offer you the greeting of my heart : "Peace tο all of yοu who are in Christ" (1 Pt 5 :14).

I deeply appreciate the welcome of His Excellency the President of Ireland who, as the representative of all upright citizens, extends to me the warm hospitality of this land.

I am grateful moreover to my Brothers in the Episcopate, who are here to greet me in the name of the whole Church in Ireland, that I love so much. I am very happy to walk among you—in the footsteps of Saint Patrick and in the path of the Gospel that he left yοu as a great heritage—being convinced that Christ is here : "Christ before me, Christ behind me ... Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me".

At this moment of my arrival I feel the need to express my esteem for the Christian traditions of this land, as well as the gratitude of the Catholic Church for the glorious contribution made by Ireland over the centuries to the spreading of the Faith. From this capital city I send my greetings to all the Irish throughout the world.

And as I invoke God's blessings on Ireland, I commend all her people to the prayers of our Blessed Lady, to the intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus and Queen of Peace, under whose patronage I place my pastoral visit.

Praised be Jesus Christ !

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