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Holy Father

At the close of Your Holiness’ visit to Portugal, I want to renew the feelings of deep gratefulness of the Portuguese people for the signs of special affection and fondness which Your Holiness wished to show them.

The striking human scenery which welcomed Your Holiness in Lisbon, Fátima and Porto and the demonstrations of deep devotion and elation which stamped these moments will forever remain in our collective memory.

The Portuguese were able to be close to the Holy Father and become better acquainted with His person. And in Him they found human kindness, serene charisma, deepness of thought and strength of spirit, intuitive signals in times of great challenges such as those we are encountering.

Your presence, Your word, and Your example brought hope into the beholden hearts of the Portuguese.

A Pastor was amongst us who shows a path to those who follow Him. A wise pilgrim who attends to the needs of men of good will.

Holy Father

I want to thank You, once again, for your decision to accept the invitation I addressed You to carry out this visit to Portugal.

Portugal tenders its farewell strengthened by the message of hope and confidence You have left with us. We watch the Holy Father departing from us with a feeling that no other language has yet been able to reproduce in all its deepness and which we reserve for those who are dearest to us: “saudade”.

I wish You bon voyage on your return to Rome and beg that You may always remember Portugal and the Portuguese in Your spirit and in Your prayers: the Portuguese will never forget Your presence in Portugal.