ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE PILGRIMS FROM AUSTRALIA

Saturday, 8 April 1972

Dear sons and daughters from Australia,

It is a joy for us today to receive your group and to welcome you to the Vatican.

We know that Cardinal Gilroy intended to be with you on your world tour and that regrettably he was unable to come. Through you we send him our greetings and our special blessing.

Your own presence here this morning makes us recall our visit to Australia and the many happy hours that we spent among your fellow-countrymen. We would like you to know that we pray often for the people of Australia, so that they may fulfil worthily their human and Christian mission of brotherliness and service to their neighbours in Oceania.

We ask the Lord to give you all his choicest graces in this paschal season and to enrich your pilgrimage with fruitful and lasting results. To each of you we impart our Apostolic Blessing.