Pope Francis in the Philippines

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
Christian
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
sacrifice
,
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
important
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
complex
political
and
ethical
questions
.
As
many
voices
in
your
nation
have
pointed
out
,
it
is
now
,
more
than
ever
,
necessary
that
political
leaders
be
outstanding
for
honesty
,
integrity
and
commitment
to
the
common
good
.
In
this
way
they
will
help
preserve
the
rich
human
and
natural
resources
with
which
God
has
blessed
this
country
.
Thus
will
they
be
able
to
marshall
the
moral
resources
needed
to
face
the
demands
of
the
present
,
and
to
pass
on
to
coming
generations
a
society
of
authentic
justice
,
solidarity
and
peace
.
Essential
to
the
attainment
of
these
national
goals
is
the
moral
imperative
of
ensuring
social
justice
and
respect
for
human
dignity
.
The
great
biblical
tradition
enjoins
on
all
peoples
the
duty
to
hear
the
voice
of
the
poor
.
It
bids
us
break
the
bonds
of
injustice
and
oppression
which
give
rise
to
glaring
,
and
indeed
scandalous
,
social
inequalities
.
Reforming
the
social
structures
which
perpetuate
poverty
and
the
exclusion
of
the
poor
first
requires
a
conversion
of
mind
and
heart
.
The
Bishops
of
the
Philippines
have
asked
that
this
year
be
set
aside
as
the
“
Year
of
the
Poor
”.
I
hope
that
this
prophetic
summons
will
challenge
everyone
,
at
all
levels
of
society
,
to
reject
every
form
of
corruption
which
diverts
resources
from
the
poor
,
and
to
make
concerted
efforts
to
ensure
the
inclusion
of
every
man
and
woman
and
child
in
the
life
of
the
community
.
A
fundamental
role
in
the
renewal
of
society
is
played
,
of
course
,
by
the
family
and
especially
by
young
people
.
A
highlight
of
my
visit
will
be
my
meetings
with
families
and
with
young
people
here
in
Manila
.
Families
have
an
indispensable
mission