APOSTOLIC JOURNEY
TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
MEXICO AND THE BAHAMAS

FAREWELL CEREMONY

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II

Santo Domingo
Friday, 26 January 1979

Mr President,

With deep feeling on my part, the moment has come to have to leave this beloved land of the Dominican Republic, where the shortness of my stay has been compensated by a great abundance of intense religious and human experiences.

I have been able to admire some of the beauties of the country and its historico-religious monuments, and, above all, I have been able to see, to my deep satisfaction, the religious and human sentiment of its inhabitants.

These are unforgettable memories that accompany me and will continue to call up before me the beautiful days lived in this cradle of Catholicism in the New World.

Thank you, Mr President, for the innumerable attentions that have been bestowed on me and for your presence at this moment. Thanks to all the beloved Dominican people for their enthusiastic welcome, for their constant proofs of love for the Pope, and for their faithfulness to the Christian faith.

© Copyright 1979 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana