Pope says ‘adios’ to Mexico, heads to Cuba

Leon, Mexico, Mar 26, 2012 / 13:56 pm

Pope Benedict said farewell to Mexico with the promise that this "is not the end of my affection and my closeness to a country so very dear to me."

The Pope bid farewell to the thousands of Mexicans gathered at Guanajuato International Airport by using the traditional Spanish expression "Adios."

"Dear Mexican friends, I say to you "Adios!" in the traditional sense of this fine Hispanic expression: remain with God! Yes, "Adios!"; for ever in the love of Christ, in which we meet each other and will again meet with one another. May the Lord bless you and may Mary Most Holy protect you!"

"My brief but intense visit to Mexico is now coming to an end. Yet this is not the end of my affection and my closeness to a country so very dear to me. I leave full of unforgettable experiences, not the least of which are the innumerable courtesies and signs of affection which I have received," the Pope said.
 
After thanking President Felipe Calderón for his words and "for all that the authorities have done for this memorable Journey, he also offered his gratitude to "the many people who have helped, even in the smallest details, to make the events of these days go smoothly." 

"I beg the Lord that all these efforts may not be in vain, and that with his help, they may produce abundant and long-lasting fruits in the life of faith, hope and charity of León and Guanajuato, in Mexico and the other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean," he added.

Pope Benedict also reiterated "clearly and with vigor" his plea to the Mexican people to "remain faithful to yourselves, not to let yourselves be intimidated by the powers of evil, but to be valiant and to work to ensure that the sap of your Christian roots may nourish your present and your future."

"I have also seen for myself expressions of concern for various aspects of the life in this beloved country, some more recent and others longstanding, which continue to cause such great distress. I take them with me as well, as I share in the joys and the suffering of my Mexican brothers and sisters, so as to place them in prayer at the foot of the Cross, in the heart of Christ, from which flow the blood and water of redemption."

The Pope strongly urged "Mexican Catholics, and all men and women of good will, not to yield to a utilitarian mentality which always leads to the sacrifice of the weakest and most defenseless." 

"I invite you to a common effort so that society can be renewed from the ground up, in order to attain a life of dignity, justice and peace for everyone. For Catholics, this contribution to the common good is also a requirement of that essential dimension of the Gospel which is human promotion and a supreme expression of charity."

He explained that "the Church exhorts all her faithful to be good citizens, conscious of their responsibility to be concerned for the good of all, both in their personal lives and throughout society.