Address to a group of pilgrims from the Philippines, 21 April 1984

ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO A GROUP OF PILGRIMS
FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Saturday, 21 April 1984

Your Excellency Mrs. Marcos,
Dear friends from the Philippines,

I am pleased to welcome to the Vatican today all of you who have come to participate in the last days of the Holy Year of the Redemption. Your pilgrimage brings you to Rome for the great events of Holy Week, the special time when the Church celebrates the central mysteries of our Redemption, the Passion, death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the bright of these Christian mysteries, I greet you most cordially.

In keeping with the theme of the Jubilee Year, you come in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, in fraternity and friendship. And as I receive you, I am reminded of the six memorable days of my pastoral visit to the Philippines several years ago. During those joyful days, which included the beatification of the first Filipino martyr, I witnessed the vitality of the Catholic faith in your country. I also marveled at the great diversity of your cultural values and traditions. But above all, I was struck by the warmth and hospitality of your people. I am pleased that today, in the Vatican, I am able in a small way to reciprocate your goodness and generosity.

As you return to the Philippines, I ask you to assure the beloved people of your land of my pastoral love and constant prayers. May the Lord bless you all with his deep and abiding peace.