ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS ITALIAN
SECURITY FORCES IN CASTEL GANDOLFO

Tuesday, 28 September 2004

Dear Officials and Officers of the Police Force,
of the Financial Guard,
and Officers of the Carabinieri Army Corps,

As I prepare to leave the residence at Castel Gandolfo, I feel duty bound to express to you my esteem and appreciation of the generous and faithful service you carry out to enforce order and security.

I thank you for contributing to my serene and tranquil stay in this beautiful region. I hope you will always be witnesses to the values of justice, loyalty and a spirit of sacrifice, whose deepest source is love for God and for our neighbour.

For this I assure you of my remembrance in prayer and, as I invoke upon you and your families the motherly protection of Mary Most Holy, Virgo Fidelis, I impart my Apostolic Blessing to you all with affection.