Christmas is a time which calls for the union of families and friends. But we must go further in its celebration. We want peace to be amongst men and not just for the moment. We want the efforts for harmony amongst Peoples to be permanent. We want solidarity and sharing to be keener at this time of the year, but that these remain alive through time. We want to consider the more fragile and vulnerable, the children, the unemployed, and the aged. But we must also do so throughout the whole of the year.

It is a time when being deprived of the company of those whom we love is more hurtful, and there are many reasons for this to happen. But there are many who are working, many volunteers, to provide comfort and human warmth to those who need it. To them we commit our esteem and our gratefulness.

Christmas is a time for encounters. We want to evoke all the Portuguese in the Diaspora Communities who, however far away they may be, always have their own and their Country at heart.

To all of you we wish to leave a friendly word, of courage and of hope, confident that you will able to overcome your difficulties.

We wish all the Portuguese a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with health and prosperity.