JOHN PAUL II BIDS FAREWELL TO THE ROMANIAN PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 1999 (VIS) - Following the celebration of the Eucharist at Podul Izvor Park in Bucharest, John Paul II travelled by car to the airport of Baneasa where, at 8 p.m., the farewell ceremony took place.
The Pope gave particular thanks to the president of the republic, Emil Constantinescu and to His Beatitude, Patriarch Teoctist for the welcome they gave him during his stay in Bucharest.

The Holy Father said: "Here too the Church breathes particularly clearly with both lungs and we have been able to experience this over the last few days. ... The wind of the Holy Spirit has blown forcefully over this land and has motivated us to be firmer in communion and more forthright in proclaiming the Gospel."

Having made reference to the threat of arms and violence that is "re-opening the wounds which were being closed through struggle and patience," he said: "I reiterate my hope that arms may finally be laid aside, that new and more effective dialogues of communion and peace may be started. In this matter Christians, whatever confession they belong to, have an important role to play."

He concluded: "The spiritual event we have lived through ... is an experience we must cherish and transmit, in the hope that the new millennium be a time of renewed communion between Christian Churches and one of discovery of fraternity between peoples. This is the dream I carry with me as I leave this beloved land."

PV-ROMANIA;FAREWELL;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 260;