Vatican City, 6 June 2015 (VIS) –
Pope Francis arrived shortly after 9 a.m. in Sarajevo, capital of
Bosnia-Herzegovina and the destination of his eighth apostolic trip.
The central theme of the Holy See's concern for Bosnia-Herzegovina –
visited twice by St. John Paul II – is peace, and this is
perpetuated in the theme chosen for Pope Francis' visit: “Peace be
with you”.
The Pontiff, who left Rome at 7.30
a.m., was received at the international airport of Sarajevo by
President Dragan Crovic, the Croat member of the tripartite (Serb,
Croat and Bosnian) Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, by the president
of the Episcopal Conference and cardinal archbishop of Sarajevo,
Vinko Puljic, and by Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto, apostolic nuncio. From
their he transferred by car to the presidential palace for the
welcome ceremony and courtesy visit to the members of the Presidency:
acting president Mladen Ivanic, the Croatian member Dragan Covic and
the Bosnian member Bakir Izetbegovic.
Following the courtesy visit, Francis
entered the presidential drawing room where he pronounced his first
discourse in Sarajevo, before the civil authorities, the diplomatic
corps, the bishops and various other religious leaders.
“I am pleased to be in this city
which, although it has suffered so much in the bloody conflicts of
the past century, has once again become a place of dialogue and
peaceful coexistence”, said the Pope. “Sarajevo and Bosnia and
Herzegovina have a special significance for Europe and for the whole
world. Bosnia and Herzegovina has advanced from a culture of conflict
and war to a culture of encounter.
“For centuries in these lands,
communities were present who professed different religions, who
belonged to distinct ethnic and cultural groups, each endowed with
its own rich characteristics; each fostered its own traditions,
without these differences having impeded for any length of time the
establishment of mutually fraternal and cordial relationships”, he
continued. “The very architecture and layout of Sarajevo reveal
visible and substantial characteristics of these different
communities, each a short distance from the other – synagogues,
churches and mosques – so much so that Sarajevo has been called the
'Jerusalem of Europe'. Indeed it represents a crossroads of cultures,
nations and religions, a status which requires the building of new
bridges, while maintaining and restoring older ones, thus ensuring
avenues of communication that are efficient, sure and fraternal.
“We need to communicate with each
other, to discover the gifts of each person, to promote that which
unites us, and to regard our differences as an opportunity to grow in
mutual respect”, he remarked. “Patience and trust are called for
in such dialogue, permitting individuals, families and communities to
hand on the values of their own culture and welcome the good which
comes from others’ experiences. In so doing, even the deep wounds
of the recent past will be set aside, so that the future may be
looked to with hope, facing the daily problems that all communities
experience with hearts and minds free of fear and resentment.
“I have come here as a pilgrim of
peace and dialogue, eighteen years after St. John Paul II’s
historic visit, which took place less than two years after the
signing of the Dayton Peace Accord. I am happy to see the progress
which has been made, for which we must thank the Lord and so many men
and women of good will. However, we should not become complacent with
what has been achieved so far, but rather seek to make further
efforts towards reinforcing trust and creating opportunities for
growth in mutual knowledge and respect. In order to favour this path,
the solidarity and collaboration of the International Community is
fundamental, in particular that of the European Union and of all
Countries and Organisations operating in the territory of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is indeed an integral part of
Europe, the successes and tragic experiences of the former are
integrated fully into the latter’s history of successes and
tragedies. They constitute, too, a clear call to pursue every avenue
of peace, in order that processes already underway can be yet more
resilient and binding.
“In this land, peace and harmony
among Croats, Serbs and Bosnians, and the initiatives taken to extend
these even further, as well as the cordial and fraternal relations
among Muslims, Hebrews and Christians, and other religious
minorities, take on an importance that goes beyond its boundaries.
These initiatives offer a witness to the entire world that such
cooperation among varying ethnic groups and religions in view of the
common good is possible; that a plurality of cultures and traditions
can coexist and give rise to original and effective solutions to
problems; that even the deepest wounds can be healed by purifying
memories and firmly anchoring hopes in the future. I saw at my
arrival this morning in the Muslim, Orthodox, Jewish, Catholic and
children of other religions whom I met at the airport – together
and joyful! This is a sign of hope! May we stake our future on this.
“In order to successfully oppose the
barbarity of those who would make of every difference the occasion
and pretext for further unspeakable violence, we need to recognise
the fundamental values of human communities, values in the name of
which we can and must cooperate, build and dialogue, pardon and grow;
this will allow different voices to unite in creating a melody of
sublime nobility and beauty, instead of the fanatical cries of
hatred.
“Responsible politicians are called
to the important task of being the first servants of their
communities, taking actions which safeguard above all the fundamental
rights of the human person, among which the right to religious
freedom stands out. In this way it will be possible to build, with
concrete measures, a more peaceful and just society, working
step-by-step together to solve the many problems which people
experience daily. In order for this to come about, it is vital that
all citizens be equal both before the law and its implementation,
whatever their ethnic, religious or geographical affiliation. All
alike will then feel truly involved in public life. Enjoying the same
rights, they will be able to make their specific contribution to the
common good.
“The Catholic Church, by means of the
prayer and the works of her faithful and her institutions, is taking
an part in the process of material and moral reconstruction of Bosnia
and Herzegovina, sharing the country’s joys and concerns. The
Church is committed to offering her particular solicitude and
closeness to the poor and to those most in need, inspired by the
teaching and example of her Divine Master, Jesus. The Holy See
praises the work carried out in these recent years, and is determined
to continue promoting cooperation, dialogue and solidarity, in the
sure knowledge that peace and mutual listening in an ordered and
civil society are indispensable conditions for authentic and lasting
development. Through the contribution of all, and leaving behind
completely the dark clouds of storms gone by, the Holy See fervently
hopes that Bosnia and Herzegovina may continue along the journey
embarked upon, so that after the winter chill, springtime may come to
blossom. And already we see spring blooming here!” exclaimed the
Pope.
“With these thoughts I implore the
Almighty for peace and prosperity in Sarajevo and all of Bosnia and
Herzegovina”, he concluded.
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