APOSTOLIC PILGRIMAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS PAUL VI
TO WEST ASIA, OCEANIA AND AUSTRALIA

DEPARTURE CEREMONY

ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER PAUL VI

 International Airport of Hong Kong
Friday, 4 December 1970

The Lord be with you!

This is our greeting: the greeting that We bring to you from Catholic Rome-so far away in distance, so near in spirit-the greeting We express to you, the good people of Hong Kong, whelm We have the honour and pleasure of visiting today.

The time of Our presence among you is brief, but it is sufficient to make Us enjoy profoundly a sense of fellowship, a brotherhood, that fills Our heart and will always remain with Us. The wisdom of China has produced the saying «All Men are Brothers», and We are experiencing the meaning of this. Greetings to you all, Our brothers.

Although We have seen only little of Hong Kong, We know of the vast progress you have made in recent years. We shall invoke God’s blessing on your continued efforts to promote justice, prosperity and peace.

To the civil authorities of Hong Kong, especially to you, Sir Hugh, goes Our deep gratitude for having welcomed Us with such courtesy. Our sincere respect and best wishes to all who have received Us so kindly.

To all the people We have met, and to the unnumbered we seem to see beyond this room, We express Our cordial and sincere greetings.

T’in chue po yau.