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Munich, 9th September 2006 (CNA) - Pope
Benedict XVI offered words of thanks and encouragement today, as he began
his trip through the land of his birth. The Pontiff was greeted, upon his
arrival in Munich, by German President Horst Köhler, Chancellor Angela
Merkel, and Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber, as well as various
members of the German Catholic hierarchy and numerous other officials.
Descending from his Alitalia jet to the cheers
of thousands gathered in a small greeting area setup on the tarmac, the Pope
strode past German military guards, accompanied by President Köhler. The
Pontiff stood at attention as he was granted the full military welcome of a
visiting head of state, his white cassock blowing about in the wind.
The Pope shook hands and exchanged quick words
with the men, women, and children lining his path as he and the president
worked their way to a temporary stage flanked by German, Bavarian, and
European Union flags, whipping in the wind.
The German president welcomed the Pope,
speaking glowingly of the first years of his Pontificate. Köhler, who is
Protestant, recalled the “moving experience” of last year’s World Youth Day,
held in Cologne. The president remarked at the “powerful presence” of the
Catholic Church in Germany and spoke hopefully of the ongoing process of
ecumenical dialogue.
Following Köhler’s words of welcome, the Pope
reflected briefly on the purpose of his trip. “Conscious of how much I have
received,” Benedict said, “I have come here above all to express my deep
gratitude towards all those who helped shape me as a person.”
But, the Pope continued, “I also come here as
the Successor of the Apostle Peter, to reaffirm and strengthen the deep
bonds linking the See of Rome and the Church in our native land.”
Benedict reminded everyone of the tremendous
history of the Catholic faith in Germany and particularly in Bavaria. A
history, he said, which has been constantly nourished by firm adherence to
Christian values.
He also noted that the faith history of the
country “is witnessed to by famous monuments, majestic cathedrals, statues
and paintings of great artistic value, literary works, cultural initiatives
and above all, the many individual and community events which reflect the
Christian beliefs of successive generations in this Land which is so dear to
me.”
The Pontiff insisted that although society has
changed, it is important to continue passing on the faith to younger
generations.
“I think we are all united in the hope that
new generations will remain faithful to the spiritual patrimony which has
withstood all the crises of history. My visit to the land of my birth is
meant to be an encouragement in this regard: Bavaria is a part of Germany;
sharing in the ups and downs of Germany’s history, and has good reason to be
proud of the traditions inherited from the past. My hope is that all my
compatriots in Bavaria and throughout Germany will play an active part in
the transmission of the fundamental values of the Christian faith to the
citizens of tomorrow.”
The Pope concluded his remarks expressing his
desire to someday visit other parts of Germany and thanking all those who
have worked to prepare for his visit. He offered a greeting to all Germans,
noting that he was not only thinking of Catholics, but Lutherans, Orthodox
Christians, and members of other Churches and Ecclesial Communities as well
as “all people of good will.”
“May the Lord bless the efforts of all those
concerned to build a future of true well-being for the good of the whole
nation,” the Pope said, entrusting his intentions to the Blessed Virgin Mary
through a traditional Bavarian prayer. “Preserve, O Virgin and Patroness,
your Bavarian people, their goods, their government, their land and their
religion!”
The Pope then departed for downtown Munich,
where he will offer a special prayer at the Marian statue in the city’s
central square.
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