A hope: that the membership of the European Union “will lead to prosperity”; and the encouragement “to resolve the remaining concerns that you share with the international community for the future of your Island”. It was with these words that Benedict XVI addressed the Government and people of Cyprus upon his arrival in Paphos, on the first leg of his 16th international apostolic journey. “Having recently acceded to the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus is beginning to witness the benefit of closer economic and political ties with other European states”, recalled the Pontiff. “Membership has already given your country access to markets, technology and know-how. It is greatly to be hoped that membership will lead to prosperity at home and that other Europeans in their turn will be enriched by your spiritual and cultural heritage which reflects your historical role, standing between Europe, Asia and Africa. May the love of your homeland and of your families and the desire to live in harmony with your neighbours under the compassionate protection of almighty God, inspire you patiently to resolve the remaining concerns that you share with the international community for the future of your Island”. Speaking about his journey, Benedict XVI said he was coming “as a pilgrim”, following in the footsteps of Saints Paul and Barnabas, looking forward “to greeting other Cypriot religious leaders. I hope to strengthen our common bonds and to reiterate the need to build up mutual trust and lasting friendship between all those who worship the one God”. “As the Successor of Peter, I come in a special way to greet the Catholics of Cyprus, to confirm them in the faith and to encourage them to be both exemplary Christians and exemplary citizens, and to play a full role in society, to the benefit of both Church and state”. The Pope eventually recalled the handover, on 6 June, of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Synod of Bishops on the Middle East, which, he said, “will examine many aspects of the Church’s presence in the region and the challenges that Catholics face, sometimes in trying circumstances, in living out their communion within the Catholic Church and offering their witness in the service of society and the world. Cyprus is thus an appropriate place in which to launch our Church’s reflection on the place of the centuries-old Catholic community in the Middle East, our solidarity with all the Christians of the region and our conviction that they have an irreplaceable role to play in peace and reconciliation among its peoples”.

© SIR - 4 june 2010