Welcome Ceremony Zaire

On Wednesday, 14 August 1985, at the welcome ceremony the Kinshasa Airport in Zaire, the Holy Father expressed his joy at returning to Zaire for the Beatification of their nun, Anwarite Nengapeta.

Mr. President, Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. As I return to the land of Zaire for a great Christian celebration, I would like to express my joy at returning to your inviting country. In 1980, I spent several days in Zaire, marked by numerous encounters, the memory of which remains vivid in my memory. Today, before arriving at the International Eucharistic Congress in Nairobi, I am particularly happy to be able to respond to the pressing invitation your bishops extended to me in Rome, to come here to proclaim your nun, Anwarite Nengapeta, blessed. I thank Cardinal Malula, Archbishop of Kinshasa, Archbishop Monsengwo Pasinya, President of the Episcopal Conference, and all my brothers in the episcopate for inviting me, on behalf of all the Catholics of this country, with such a delicate insistence that I was moved.

Mr. President of the Republic, I would like to express my gratitude for your invitation and your concern in making my visit possible, diligently making all the arrangements for its organization. Your words speak, in terms to which I am deeply sensitive, of the quality of the welcome you gave me, in keeping with the fine African traditions of hospitality. I appreciate the opportunity I will have to speak with you again tomorrow.

Many dignitaries are accompanying you, Mr. President, in this welcoming ceremony: they represent the highest authorities of your country and, particularly, of the capital. I thank them for the courtesy of their presence and extend to them a respectful and cordial greeting.

2. Upon my arrival, I wish to express my warm sympathy to all the people of this great city of Kinshasa and of Zaire as a whole. You have marked a milestone in your country's history by recently commemorating the 25th anniversary of your independence. The journey has been remarkable; there has been no shortage of challenges. But you remain determined to commit yourselves, sparing no effort. I wish each of you the satisfaction of seeing your work rewarded, of living in a harmonious and fraternal society. My good wishes go in particular to the many young people of your people who are preparing to assume their responsibilities in this demanding and challenging world. It is important that everyone employ the qualities of spirit and heart so that the earth's resources serve the common good of humanity, and so that the peoples of the world can increase their beneficial exchanges and establish dynamic collaboration in peace. Like all their compatriots, Catholics desire to participate actively in the nation's efforts.

3. My brief visit has as its primary purpose to allow a new meeting between the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic Church in Zaire. Five years ago, we celebrated together the centenary of the second evangelization of your country, a century in which your communities grew rapidly and fervently, in which you not only received the message but also built the Church now firmly rooted in your land. During my first pilgrimage among you, we shared intensely, thanking God and entrusting your future to him. Tomorrow we will extol the merits of one of you, a pledge of the fruitfulness of a Church that is maturing, deepening its knowledge of God's word, and witnessing to the living presence of Christ.

Successor of the Apostle Peter, charged with strengthening my brothers and sisters in the faith everywhere, I am happy to be among you to place this bright point on the path of the Church of Zaire, in communion with the bishops of all your dioceses. May these days of celebration mark a new advance in your dedication to Christ, in your solidarity with all your brothers, the Christians of Africa and other continents! As the solemnity of her Assumption begins this evening, may Our Lady of Zaire comfort you with hope.

4. Upon arriving here, I also wish to extend a cordial greeting to all Zairians who represent Christian communities other than the Catholic Church. I also greet those who belong to different spiritual traditions. May they be assured of my respect and of the sincere desire of Christians to maintain fraternal relations with all.

On my way, before leaving your country, I will have the opportunity to celebrate Mass with the Shaba Christians gathered in Lubumbashi. But if my time were not limited, I would like to be close to all Zairians, to every family, to every child... And I also think of those immobilized by illness and suffering: I would so much like to bring them comfort, and also to all those who are suffering. To them I express my affectionate good wishes.

5. I know that the various meetings I will have during my stay have required a great deal of effort to organize, both on the part of the civil authorities and the dioceses hosting me. All those who work hard to prepare them and to fulfill all the necessary tasks, often at the cost of work that remains hidden, can be assured of my heartfelt gratitude.

To everyone, present and far, thank you from the bottom of my heart! God bless you!

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