To the Adzopé Leprosarium (12 May 1980)

On Monday, 12 May 1980, the Holy Father visited the Adzopé Leprosarium, Ivory Coast. The Pope spoke to them of the sufferings of Christ. To them, as to Christ, their sufferings are a test. "His suffering has become for countless men, for you, for me, a cause of salvation, forgiveness, grace, life."

Dear friends,

1. I come to visit you, and first of all to greet you, each and every one of you, with respect, with affection.

It is the Bishop of Rome who comes to you, that is to say the Spiritual Head of the Catholic community in Rome. But at the same time he has the task of being the Center of unity between Christians all over the world, of being their Pastor, like the pastors of the flock who do not forget any sheep.

In this leper colony, not all are Catholics; I respect their religious feelings, their way of addressing God, according to their conscience. For no one is exempt from turning to God; and how to forget it when misery embraces us? But I believe that I have a good word for all. For Christ Jesus, the Son of God, whom I serve and whom I represent among you, stopped with predilection before human suffering, sickness, infirmity, and above all infirmity which puts a little separation from others, like leprosy, and which thus creates a double suffering.

Certainly, he came for all, so that all, great and small, rich or poor, just and sinners, might know that the Kingdom of God was open to them, that the love of God was upon them, that the life of God was destined, through faith and conversion.

The Pope also addresses all the people and, if he meets spiritual and civic leaders in particular, it is because their responsibilities are broader, for the good of many. But I would be failing in my mission if I did not spend an appreciable time with those whom Jesus especially loved, because of their misery, because they needed comfort, relief, healing, hope. So I wanted my ultimate visit to Africa to be for you. And through you, I visit in spirit and I embrace all the other lepers and infirm of this country, and of all Africa.

2. Thanks to medicine, thanks to the zeal of admirable pioneers, thanks to the daily dedication of many nurses and nurses, of friends of all kinds who help you, including many religious, thanks also to the civil leaders who have favored this care, we were able to improve your lot; not only your health, but your environment, often allowing you to live like in a village, with your family.

Now leprosy is no longer scary as it used to be, especially if it is detected and treated early enough. I join you in thanking all these friends of lepers who dedicate their lives to you. Without knowing it perhaps or without believing it, they feel exactly what Christ asked. May God sustain and reward them!

3. But I am also sure that they receive consolations from you. Not only because you love them, but because they admire your patience, your serenity, your courage, the solidarity that binds you together, the sense of family that you keep. Because you are not only assisted: you take charge of yourselves, you do everything to live, to walk, to work, with poor means, with the handicapped limbs left by illness. This hope is beautiful.

I myself am moved by it. This desire to live pleases God, and I wish you to develop it. You are, you could say, your own doctors.

4. But I don't come just to give you this human encouragement. I come to confirm what priests, sisters, lay Christians have no doubt already told you: in your misery, God loves you. This evil does not correspond to his plan of love. And you yourselves bear no fault of it. Don't see it as a fatality. Just see it as a test.

The Christ whom we adore underwent a test himself, that of the Cross, a test which disfigured him, and that without any fault on his part. He relied on God, his Father. He turned to Him to also ask for deliverance. But he accepted; he offered. And his suffering has become for countless men, for you, for me, a cause of salvation, forgiveness, grace, life.

This solidarity in suffering is a great mystery. It is the heart of our religion. Those who are Christians understand my language. Your suffering, accepted, borne with patience, love of others, offered to God, becomes a source of grace, for you for whom the Lord reserves his paradise, and for many others. You can also pray for me, and for all those who confide their misery to me.

That God helps you! May God give you peace!

5. I now turn to those of you who have opened your souls to faith in Jesus Christ the Savior and who have received baptism and confirmation after long preparation. What Grace! They are visibly incorporated into the family of Christians, the Church. After having renounced the devil and his seductions and proclaimed their faith, they also received, like us, with the forgiveness of their sins, the life of Christ, to share in his sacrifice and his resurrection. The love of God is poured out in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. They will be able to receive as nourishment the Sacred Bread which is the Body of Christ. They are indwelt by God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And they will in turn become witnesses of the love of Christ for their suffering brothers

God bless you, dear sons and daughters! May he bless all the inhabitants of this leper colony! May he bless all your brothers who suffer from leprosy as well as their families, their friends and those who assist them!

© Copyright 1980 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana