Acta Francisci Pp. 169

IV

Iter Apostolicum in Srilankam et Philippinas: - Occasione salutationis Pon- tificis advenientis in aëriportu urbis Columbi.*17

Mr President, Honourable Government Authorities, Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Dear Friends,

I thank you for your warm welcome. I have looked forward to this visit

to Sri Lanka and these days which we will spend together. Sri Lanka is

known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for its natural beauty. Even more

importantly, this island is known for the warmth of its people and the rich

diversity of their cultural and religious traditions.

Mr President, I extend to you my best wishes for your new respon-

sibilities. I greet the distinguished members of the government and civil

authorities who honour us by their presence. I am especially grateful for

the presence of the eminent religious leaders who play so important a role

in the life of this country. And of course, I would like to express my ap-

preciation to the faithful, the members of the choir, and the many people

who helped make this visit possible. I thank you all, from the heart, for

your kindness and hospitality.

My visit to Sri Lanka is primarily pastoral. As the universal pastor of

the Catholic Church, I have come to meet, encourage and pray with the

Catholic people of this island. A highlight of this visit will be the canoniza-

tion of Blessed Joseph Vaz, whose example of Christian charity and respect

for all people, regardless of ethnicity or religion, continues to inspire and

teach us today. But my visit is also meant to express the Church's love

and concern for all Sri Lankans, and to confirm the desire of the Catholic

community to be an active participant in the life of this society. It is a

continuing tragedy in our world that so many communities are at war with

themselves. The inability to reconcile differences and disagreements, wheth-

er old or new, has given rise to ethnic and religious tensions, frequently

* Die 13 Ianuarii 2015.