Pope Bids Farewell to Mozambique: ‘You Have Many Reasons for Hope! Don’t Ever Be Robbed of It!’

You have reason for hope! I have seen it…. Hold on to it and do not let yourself be robbed of it…

This was the heart of Pope Francis’ final farewell to Mozambique.

Today, Sept. 6, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Maputo, Mozambique, the final day of his visit to the country, during his 31st Apostolic Trip to the African nations of Mozambique, Madagascar and the island of Mauritius, Sept. 4-10, 2019. This afternoon, the Holy Father will depart for Madagascar.

At the end of the Mass, he gave some heartfelt words of gratitude. He also acknowledged to his dear brothers and sisters of Mozambique, “I realize the sacrifice that you had to make in order to share in these celebrations and meetings. I appreciate it and I thank you from my heart.”

“I am grateful too,” he added, “to all those who could not be present due to the aftermath of the recent cyclones: dear brothers and sisters, I also felt your support!”

“To everyone I would like to say this: you have many reasons for hope!” Noting this was “evident” and “truly palpable” in these days, the Holy Father appealed: “Please, hold on to hope; do not let yourselves be robbed of it.”

Francis stressed there is no better way to hold onto hope than to remain united, “so that all the reasons sustaining it will constantly consolidate for a future of reconciliation and peace in Mozambique.”

Pope Francis concluded, praying God bless and Mary protect them, and reminding them to pray for him.

Here is the full Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s final farewell greeting to Mozambique:

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At the conclusion of my Visit, I would like to thank all the individuals and groups that worked so hard to make it possible, beginning with this Archdiocese of Maputo and its Archbishop, Dom Francisco Chimoio, whom I thank for his fraternal hospitality and his kind greeting in the name of his brother bishops and the entire people of God. A word of particular gratitude goes to President Filipe Nyusi for the great consideration accorded to me both on a personal level and through the various governmental institutions and the security forces of the nation. I am also grateful for the sacrifice and unsung work of the members of the organizing committee and the many volunteers. I also thank the journalists and all those good people who came out to greet me.

Dear brothers and sisters of Mozambique, I realize the sacrifice that you had to make in order to share in these celebrations and meetings. I appreciate it and I thank you from my heart. I am grateful too to all those who could not be present due to the aftermath of the recent cyclones: dear brothers and sisters, I also felt your support! To everyone I would like to say this: you have many reasons for hope! It was evident and truly palpable in these days. Please, hold on to hope; do not let yourselves be robbed of it. And there is no better way to hold onto hope than to remain united, so that all the reasons sustaining it will constantly consolidate for a future of reconciliation and peace in Mozambique. May God bless you and may the Virgin Mary protect you! And please, do not forget to pray for me.