On Departure from Kinshasa (5 May 1980)

On Monday, 5 May 1980, the Holy Father gave his last words on departing from Kinshasa, at the River port of Onatra.

It is above all a repetition, because these are words that I expressed to you just now, Mr. President; but I would like to repeat them at the microphone, to give my voice greater strength. I am deeply moved by this whole visit. I am also moved by this solemn moment of leave from Kinshasa, because it is only from Kinshasa that I now have to leave. I am still staying on the territory of your country, returning from Brazzaville this afternoon; so it's not so easy to send me back from Zaire, so quickly! I'm still staying until tomorrow. But here, in the capital, and also in the presence of the President, in the presence of the authorities, the state authorities and above all the authorities of the city of Kinshasa, I want to renew my cordial thanks for this city where I have spends three days; three days full of content, full also of work, of pastoral work, of encounters, of experiences; it was for me a unique experience: this meeting with the Church which is in Kinshasa and which represents a little the Church which is in Zaire, the meetings with the people of Zaire which is in an extremely important historical moment .

This I have said several times, Mr President, and I repeat it; I see this beginning of a historic road that you start here together; and I rejoice, I am happy, I am grateful to Providence that in this beginning of the historic journey that your country and your people are undertaking, the Church can participate in a very beautiful, very effective way. For this I thank Providence.

This stay in your city was also marked by a few events which saddened me deeply.

These facts, these accidents came to my knowledge only yesterday evening. I want to express my condolences especially to the families and also to the whole community of Kinshasa, and also to the President of the Republic. We will now participate in an action of solidarity with those who have had to go through this pain. But it is an element, an important human element. And obviously this element is in a set; for me personally it is also a pain. But it's like in the paschal mystery, where the Passion mingles with the Resurrection. Our faith helps us to go through pains, and also to bring to souls who are sad the consolation and the hope of the resurrection. Like that I also think of this event. And, in short, I leave this great city, capital of contemporary Zaire,

Mr. President told me several times that Zaire deserved this visit. And I approve it with my heart, with my words, with all my external and internal attitude. Really Zaire deserved this visit. It is a great grace for me to have been able to do it, to be able to do it in these days.

Mr President, I said last night that this visit is not just something extraordinary, extra, excessive: it is part of my duty. I need to know how you live, what is your situation, the situation of your people, of your country, of your Republic, the situation of the Church in this country. And that's what I came for, to do my duty. I performed this duty with great feeling, with all my heart. And in ending this speech, I must tell you, Mr. President, and all of you present here, that I leave my whole heart in this city of Zaire. Thank you so much!

© Copyright 1980 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 
Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana