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                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   MAY FAITH BECOME A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND SOLIDARITY   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 7 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The departure ceremony at the end of the Holy   
   Father's apostolic trip to Spain took place at Barcelona international airport   
   at 7 p.m. today, in the presence of the Spanish monarchs.   
      
   Following some brief words from King Juan Carlos, the Pope arose to pronounce   
   his address.   
      
   Benedict XVI expressed his appreciation for the presence of the King and Queen,   
   and extended his thanks to the authorities, the archbishops of Santiago de   
   Compostela and Barcelona, the Spanish episcopate, and everyone whose efforts   
   had helped "to bring this journey to a happy conclusion".   
      
   "At Compostela", he said, "I joined the many people from Spain, Europe and   
   elsewhere who come to the tomb of the Apostle to fortify their faith and to   
   receive forgiveness and peace. As Peter's Successor I also came to strengthen   
   my brothers and sisters in the faith that at the very dawn of Christianity came   
   to these lands and took such deep root that it has constantly shaped the   
   spirit, customs, art and character of its peoples. The preservation of this   
   rich spiritual patrimony demonstrates the love of your country for its history   
   and culture, yet it is also a privileged way of transmitting to younger   
   generations those fundamental values so necessary for building up a common   
   future of harmony and solidarity.   
      
   "The paths that cross Europe on the way to Santiago differed greatly, each   
   marked by its own language and its particular characteristics, but the faith   
   was the same", the Pope added. "May this faith find new vigour on this   
   continent and become a source of inspiration. May it give rise to an attitude   
   of solidarity towards all, especially towards those communities and nations in   
   greater need".   
      
   Speaking then in Catalan he recalled how he had consecrated the basilica of the   
   Sagrada Familia and visited "an important charitable institution of the Church.   
   They stand in today's Barcelona as two symbols of the fruitfulness of that   
   faith which has marked this people deeply and which, through charity and the   
   mystery of God's beauty, contributes to the creation of a society more worthy   
   of man. Truly, beauty, holiness and the love of God enable people to live with   
   hope in this world", he said.   
      
   "I return to Rome after visiting only two places in this beautiful country.   
   Nevertheless, in my thoughts and prayers, I have wished to embrace all   
   Spaniards without exception and all those born elsewhere but now living here. I   
   hold all of you in my heart and I pray for you, especially for those who   
   suffer. I place you under the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy, so greatly   
   venerated and invoked in Galicia, Catalonia and throughout Spain. I ask her to   
   obtain for you from Almighty God abundant heavenly gifts, that you may live as   
   one family, guided by the light of faith. I bless you in the name of the Lord.   
   With His help, we will meet again next year in Madrid, to celebrate World Youth   
   Day. Adios!"   
      
   The Pope then boarded his aircraft for the return flight to Rome, where he   
   arrived at 9 p.m. From Ciampino airport he then travelled by car to the   
   Vatican, thus concluding the nineteenth apostolic trip of his pontificate.   
   PV-SPAIN/VIS 20101108 (550)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
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    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)