POPE GIVES FAREWELL SPEECH AT SPLIT AIRPORT

( Editorial: --> 5714 ) SPLIT, Oct 4 (Hina) - After three days of visiting Croatia, Pope John Paul II gave a farewell speech ahead of his departure from Croatia's southern town of Split to Rome on Sunday: Mr. President, Representatives of the Government, Dear Brothers Bishops, Brothers and Sisters, I have reached the end of my Pastoral Visit to our beautiful country. The moment of departure has arrived. I give thanks to God for these three days spent in Croatia, in the exercise of my Petrine ministry. I am grateful to the Churches of Zagreb and Split- Makarska which have welcomed me, and to the whole Church which is in this country for the affection it has shown me. I thank the President of the Republic, the Head of the Government and the civil and military authorities, who have spared no efforts to ensure that this Visit would proceed in the best possible way. Many people have worked to bring this about and I thank all of them. Before leaving your country and departing from you, I would like to address a heartfelt greeting to everyone: to families, parishes, Dioceses, religious communities, movements and ecclesial associations. The images of so many of the faithful of all ages, and especially the young, are imprinted in my memory in Zagreb, Marija Bistrica, Znjan in Split and in Solin: crowds of people who have demonstrated their faith and rejoiced in full harmony of minds and hearts. In Croatia, I have been able to meet a Church which is full of life, rich in enthusiasm and energy, despite the adversities and abuses of power which she has suffered; a Church which is looking for new forms of witness to Christ and his Gospel, to respond fully to the challenges of the present moments. My stay among you has enabled me to experience at first hand the recovery achieved in the past few years. I have seen a society which desires to build its present and future on solid democratic foundations, in complete fidelity to its own history, which is permeated by Christianity, in order to take its rightful place in the assembly of the other European Nations. With joy I recognise that yours is a country which, having recovered freedom and overcome the sad vicissitudes of war, is now reconstructing itself and renewing itself materially and spiritually with keen determination. I call on men and women of good will throughout the world not to forget the tragedies suffered by these peoples in the course of history, and especially in our own century. May there be no lack of the concrete and generous help which individuals and families need in order to live in freedom and equality, with the dignity of active members of the human family. Europe has set out on a new stage of its journey towards unity and growth. In order for joy to be complete, no one must be forgotten on the path which leads to the common European house. For her own part, Croatia must show great patience, wisdom, a willingness to make sacrifices and generous solidarity in order to overcome definitively the present post-war phase and attain the noble goals to which she aspires. Much has already been achieved and we now see the results. The difficulties which remain should discourage no one. Dear Brothers and Sisters, I return to Rome carrying in my heart many beautiful impressions of this visit. They will accompany me in the prayers I shall offer on your behalf, for the sick and the old, for your children and for all your People. May God grant Croatia peace, harmony and a persevering commitment to the common good! Dear Croatian people, may God bless you! May the Virgin Mary, Advocata Croatiae, fidelessima Mater, watch over your presence and future! I entrust to her all your plans for freedom and progress in solidarity; all your hopes and your commitment to human and religious values. God bless Croatia! (hina) lml mbr jn 042134 MET oct 98