Acta Francisci Pp. 173

VI

Iter Apostolicum in Srilankam et Philippinas: - Dum Summus Pontifex publicas auctoritates et publicos legatos apud aedes praesidiales convenit, Manilae.*2

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you, Mr President, for your kind welcome and for your words

of greeting in the name of the authorities and people of the Philippines,

and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I am most grateful

for your invitation to visit the Philippines. My visit is above all pastoral.

It comes as the Church in this country is preparing to celebrate the fifth

centenary of the first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these

shores. The Christian message has had an immense influence on Filipino

culture. It is my hope that this important anniversary will point to its

continuing fruitfulness and its potential to inspire a society worthy of the

goodness, dignity and aspirations of the Filipino people.

In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my closeness to our

brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused

by Typhoon Yolanda. Together with many people throughout the world, I

have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so

many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others.

Those virtues, rooted not least in the hope and solidarity instilled by Chris-

tian faith, gave rise to an outpouring of goodness and generosity, especially

on the part of so many of the young. In that moment of national crisis,

countless people came to the aid of their neighbors in need. At great sac-

rifice, they gave of their time and resources, creating networks of mutual

help and working for the common good.

This example of solidarity in the work of rebuilding teaches us an im-

portant lesson. Like a family, every society draws on its deepest resources

in order to face new challenges. Today the Philippines, together with many

other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid foundations a

modern society - a society respectful of authentic human values, protective

of our God-given human dignity and rights, and ready to confront new and

* Die 16 Ianuarii 2015.