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APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO FRANCE ON THE OCCASION
OF THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AT
LOURDES (SEPTEMBER 12 - 15, 2008)
GREETING FROM THE BALCONY OF THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Paris
Friday, 12 September
2008
Dear Young People,
Your warm welcome is most moving for the Pope! Thank you for waiting for me
here with such enthusiasm, despite the lateness of the hour!
The prospect of the next few days, in Paris and in Lourdes, already gives me
great joy. I give thanks to the Lord who has enabled me to accomplish this my
first pastoral visit to France as the successor of Peter, and to receive such an
encouraging response from the faithful.
I am glad to be joining the great throng of Lourdes pilgrims tomorrow to
celebrate the Jubilee of the Apparitions of the Virgin. Catholics in France
have greater need than ever to renew their trust in Mary, recognizing in her the
model of their commitment to the service of the Gospel. But before my departure
for Lourdes, I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow morning for the
celebration of the Eucharist on the Esplanade des Invalides.
I am counting on you and on your prayers for this visit to bear fruit. May the
Virgin Mary keep you safe! With all my heart, I impart to you my Apostolic
Blessing.
Good night, until tomorrow!
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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