APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE PHILIPPINES
(12-19 JANUARY 2015)
TO THE PHILIPPINES
(12-19 JANUARY 2015)
MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañang Presidential Palace, Manila
Friday, 16 January 2015
Friday, 16 January 2015
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank you, Mr President, for your kind welcome and
for your words of greeting in the name of the authorities and people of
the Philippines, and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I
am most grateful for your invitation to visit the Philippines. My visit
is above all pastoral. It comes as the Church in this country is
preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the first proclamation of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores. The Christian message has
had an immense influence on Filipino culture. It is my hope that this
important anniversary will point to its continuing fruitfulness and its
potential to inspire a society worthy of the goodness, dignity and
aspirations of the Filipino people.
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| Photo Credit: Philippine Daily Inquirer |
In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my
closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss
and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. Together with many people
throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and
resilience demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural
disaster, and so many others. Those virtues, rooted not least in the
hope and solidarity instilled by Christian faith, gave rise to an
outpouring of goodness and generosity, especially on the part of so many
of the young. In that moment of national crisis, countless people came
to the aid of their neighbors in need. At great sacrifice, they gave of
their time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working
for the common good.
This example of solidarity in the work of rebuilding
teaches us an important lesson. Like a family, every society draws on
its deepest resources in order to face new challenges. Today the
Philippines, together with many other countries in Asia, faces the
challenge of building on solid foundations a modern society – a society
respectful of authentic human values, protective of our God-given human
dignity and rights, and ready to confront new and complex political and
ethical questions. As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is
now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding
for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way
they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which
God has blessed this country. Thus will they be able to marshall the
moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass
on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and
peace.
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| Photo Credit: Rappler.com |
Essential to the attainment of these national goals is
the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human
dignity. The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to
hear the voice of the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injustice and
oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social
inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty
and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and
heart. The Bishops of the Philippines have asked that this year be set
aside as the “Year of the Poor”. I hope that this prophetic summons will
challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of
corruption which diverts resources from the poor. May it also inspire
concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and
child in the life of the community.
A fundamental role in the renewal of society is played,
of course, by the family and especially by young people. A highlight of
my visit will be my meetings with families and with young people here
in Manila. Families have an indispensable mission in society. It is in
the family that children are trained in sound values, high ideals and
genuine concern for others. But like all God’s gifts, the family can
also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know how
difficult it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such
basic human values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human
person, respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and
respect for the inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the
unborn and extending to that of the elderly and infirm. For this reason,
families and local communities must be encouraged and assisted in their
efforts to transmit to our young the values and the vision which can
help bring about a culture of integrity – one which honors goodness,
truthfulness, fidelity and solidarity as the firm foundation and the
moral glue which holds society together.
Mr President, distinguished authorities, dear friends:
As I begin my visit to this country, I cannot fail to
mention the Philippines’ important role in fostering understanding and
cooperation among the countries of Asia. I would also mention the
oft-neglected yet real contribution of Filipinos of the diaspora to the
life and welfare of the societies in which they live. It is precisely in
the light of the rich cultural and religious heritage of which your
country is proud that I leave you with a challenge and a word of
prayerful encouragement. May the deepest spiritual values of the
Filipino people continue to find expression in your efforts to provide
your fellow citizens with an integral human development. In this way,
each person will be able to fulfill his or her potential, and thus
contribute wisely and well to the future of this country. I am confident
that the praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation
between the followers of the different religions will prove fruitful in
the pursuit of this noble goal. In a particular way, I express my trust
that the progress made in bringing peace to the south of the country
will result in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding
principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including
the indigenous peoples and religious minorities.
Upon all of you, and upon all the men, women and children of this beloved nation, I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings.
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