This morning, at 7:30am local time (12:30am EDT), the Holy Father departed from the Apostolic Nunciature in Vilnius and travelled by car to the International Airport where, at 8:15am local time (1:15am EDT), there was a departure ceremony held.
Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the President if the Republic, Dalia Grybauskaitė, in a reserved area where they met privately for a brief period. There were approximately 200 volunteers present to sing for the Holy Father; two of them offered him a parting gift in remembrance of his visit. Following the presentation of military honours and some time for the members of the respective delegations to greet one another, at 8:30am local time (1:30am EDT), the Pope boarded an airBaltic CS300 for the flight to Tallinn (Estonia).
As he departed Lithuanian airspace, and passing over Latvia, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State.
Departing from Lithuania
Her Excellency, Dalia Grybauskaitė
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Vilnius
As I depart again from Lithuania to continue my Apostolic Journey to Estonia, I renew to Your Excellency and to the people of the nation, the assurance of my prayers, and I willingly invoke God's abundant blessings upon you all.
Franciscus
Passing over Latvia
His Excellency, Raimonds Vējonis
President of the Republic of Latvia
Riga
As my journey to Estonia takes me over Latvia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizen. With gratitude to God for my time in Latvia, I willingly invoke the divine blessings of peace and joy upon the nation.
Franciscus
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the International Airport in Tallinn at 9:40am local time (2:40am EDT).
Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid.
The President accompanied the Holy Father to the VIP Lounge while a choir of children sang a song. Then, the Pope travelled by car to the Presidential Palace in Tallinn for the official welcoming ceremony.
At 10:15am (3:15am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the Presidential Palace in Tallinn where an official welcoming ceremony was held.
Upon his arrival at the Palace, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic, Kersti Kaljulaid.
Then, following the playing of respective national anthems, the presentation of military honours and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Holy Father entered the building for a courtesy visit with the President of the Republic of Estonia.
At 10:30am local time (3:30am EDT), the Holy Father paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Estonia.
After the official photograph had been taken and the Book of Honour had been signed, there was an exchange of gifts. Then, in the presidential study, the Pope and the President met in private.
When the meeting was complete, after the Pope had met the members of the President's family, the President accompanied His Holiness to the Rose Garden where he met with Authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Madam President,
Members of Government and State Authorities,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to meet with you here in Tallinn, the northernmost capital that the Lord has allowed me to visit. I thank you, Madam President, for your words of welcome and for this opportunity to meet the representatives of the people of Estonia. I know that among you there is also a delegation from the sectors of civil society and from the world of culture. This allows me to express to them my desire to learn more about your culture, and especially the capacity for resilience that has enabled you to begin anew in the face of so many situations of adversity.
For centuries these lands have been known as the Land of Mary, Maarjmaa. A name that is not simply part of your history, but also part of your culture. Thinking of Mary reminds me of two words: memory and fruitfulness. Mary is a woman of memory who treasures all living things in her heart (cf Lk 2:19) and the fruitful mother who begets the life of her Son. Hence, I would like to think of Estonia as a land of memory and of fruitfulness.
A land of memory
Your people had to endure, at different times in history, moments of bitter suffering and tribulation. Struggles for a freedom and independence that was constantly disputed or threatened. Nonetheless, in the last twenty-five years or so – since you once again took your proper place in the family of nations – Estonian society has taken giant steps forward. Your country, despite its small size, is a leader as concerns the indices of human development and the capacity for innovation; it also ranks high in the areas of freedom of the press, democracy and political freedom. You have also forged bonds of cooperation and friendship with a number of countries. As you consider your past and present, you have good reason to look to the future with hope and to confront new challenges. To be a land of memory is to keep remembering that what you have attained today is due to the efforts, the hard work, the spirit and the faith of your predecessors. Cultivating a grateful memory makes it possible for you to identify today’s achievements as the fruit of a history made up of all those men and women who strove to make freedom possible. In turn, it challenges you to honour them by blazing new trails for generations yet to come.
A land of fruitfulness
As I observed at the beginning of my ministry as Bishop of Rome, in our time, humanity is experiencing a turning point in its history, as we can see from the advances being made in so many fields. We can only praise the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare (Evangelii Gaudium, 52). Still, we do well never to forget that the good life and a life well lived are not the same thing.
One of the evident effects of technocratic societies is a loss of meaning in life and the joy of living. As a result, slowly and silently the capacity for wonder is dampened, often leaving citizens in an existential ennui. A sense of belonging and commitment to others, of being rooted in a people, a culture and a family, can gradually be lost, depriving the young in particular of their roots and the foundations needed to build their presence and their future. Depriving them of the capacity to dream, to risk and to create. To put all our “trust” in technological progress, as the only way possible, can lead to a loss of the capacity to create interpersonal, intergenerational and intercultural bonds. Ultimately, that vital fabric so important for us to feel part of one another and share in a common project in the broadest sense of the word. Consequently, one of the most important obligations incumbent on all of us who have social, political, educational and religious responsibilities has to do precisely with how we can keep building bonds.
A land of fruitfulness demands contexts in which roots can be planted and give rise to a vital network capable of ensuring that the members of its communities feel “at home”. There is no worse form of alienation than to feel uprooted, belonging to no one. A land will be fruitful, and its people bear fruit and give birth to the future, only to the extent that it can foster a sense of belonging among its members, create bonds of integration between generations and different communities; and avoid all that make us insensitive to others and lead to further alienation. In this effort, dear friends, I wish to assure you that you can count always on the support and help of Catholic Church, a small community in your midst, yet one most desirous of contributing to the fruitfulness of this land.
Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank you once more for your welcome and hospitality. May the Lord bless you and the beloved Estonian people. In a special way, may he bless the elderly and the young, so that, by cherishing memory and upholding it, they may make this land a model of fruitfulness. Thank you.
(Original text in Italian; translation by Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the President if the Republic, Dalia Grybauskaitė, in a reserved area where they met privately for a brief period. There were approximately 200 volunteers present to sing for the Holy Father; two of them offered him a parting gift in remembrance of his visit. Following the presentation of military honours and some time for the members of the respective delegations to greet one another, at 8:30am local time (1:30am EDT), the Pope boarded an airBaltic CS300 for the flight to Tallinn (Estonia).
Telegrams addressed to Heads of State
As he departed Lithuanian airspace, and passing over Latvia, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State.
Departing from Lithuania
Her Excellency, Dalia Grybauskaitė
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Vilnius
As I depart again from Lithuania to continue my Apostolic Journey to Estonia, I renew to Your Excellency and to the people of the nation, the assurance of my prayers, and I willingly invoke God's abundant blessings upon you all.
Franciscus
Passing over Latvia
His Excellency, Raimonds Vējonis
President of the Republic of Latvia
Riga
As my journey to Estonia takes me over Latvia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizen. With gratitude to God for my time in Latvia, I willingly invoke the divine blessings of peace and joy upon the nation.
Franciscus
Official Welcome at the International Airport in Tallinn
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the International Airport in Tallinn at 9:40am local time (2:40am EDT).
Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid.
The President accompanied the Holy Father to the VIP Lounge while a choir of children sang a song. Then, the Pope travelled by car to the Presidential Palace in Tallinn for the official welcoming ceremony.
Welcome Ceremony at the Presidential Palace
(Tallinn, Estonia)
At 10:15am (3:15am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the Presidential Palace in Tallinn where an official welcoming ceremony was held.
Upon his arrival at the Palace, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic, Kersti Kaljulaid.
Then, following the playing of respective national anthems, the presentation of military honours and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Holy Father entered the building for a courtesy visit with the President of the Republic of Estonia.
Courtesy visit of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
with the President of the Republic of Estonia
At 10:30am local time (3:30am EDT), the Holy Father paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Estonia.
After the official photograph had been taken and the Book of Honour had been signed, there was an exchange of gifts. Then, in the presidential study, the Pope and the President met in private.
When the meeting was complete, after the Pope had met the members of the President's family, the President accompanied His Holiness to the Rose Garden where he met with Authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
addressed to Authorities and members
of the Diplomatic Corps in Tallinn
Madam President,
Members of Government and State Authorities,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to meet with you here in Tallinn, the northernmost capital that the Lord has allowed me to visit. I thank you, Madam President, for your words of welcome and for this opportunity to meet the representatives of the people of Estonia. I know that among you there is also a delegation from the sectors of civil society and from the world of culture. This allows me to express to them my desire to learn more about your culture, and especially the capacity for resilience that has enabled you to begin anew in the face of so many situations of adversity.
For centuries these lands have been known as the Land of Mary, Maarjmaa. A name that is not simply part of your history, but also part of your culture. Thinking of Mary reminds me of two words: memory and fruitfulness. Mary is a woman of memory who treasures all living things in her heart (cf Lk 2:19) and the fruitful mother who begets the life of her Son. Hence, I would like to think of Estonia as a land of memory and of fruitfulness.
A land of memory
Your people had to endure, at different times in history, moments of bitter suffering and tribulation. Struggles for a freedom and independence that was constantly disputed or threatened. Nonetheless, in the last twenty-five years or so – since you once again took your proper place in the family of nations – Estonian society has taken giant steps forward. Your country, despite its small size, is a leader as concerns the indices of human development and the capacity for innovation; it also ranks high in the areas of freedom of the press, democracy and political freedom. You have also forged bonds of cooperation and friendship with a number of countries. As you consider your past and present, you have good reason to look to the future with hope and to confront new challenges. To be a land of memory is to keep remembering that what you have attained today is due to the efforts, the hard work, the spirit and the faith of your predecessors. Cultivating a grateful memory makes it possible for you to identify today’s achievements as the fruit of a history made up of all those men and women who strove to make freedom possible. In turn, it challenges you to honour them by blazing new trails for generations yet to come.
A land of fruitfulness
As I observed at the beginning of my ministry as Bishop of Rome, in our time, humanity is experiencing a turning point in its history, as we can see from the advances being made in so many fields. We can only praise the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare (Evangelii Gaudium, 52). Still, we do well never to forget that the good life and a life well lived are not the same thing.
One of the evident effects of technocratic societies is a loss of meaning in life and the joy of living. As a result, slowly and silently the capacity for wonder is dampened, often leaving citizens in an existential ennui. A sense of belonging and commitment to others, of being rooted in a people, a culture and a family, can gradually be lost, depriving the young in particular of their roots and the foundations needed to build their presence and their future. Depriving them of the capacity to dream, to risk and to create. To put all our “trust” in technological progress, as the only way possible, can lead to a loss of the capacity to create interpersonal, intergenerational and intercultural bonds. Ultimately, that vital fabric so important for us to feel part of one another and share in a common project in the broadest sense of the word. Consequently, one of the most important obligations incumbent on all of us who have social, political, educational and religious responsibilities has to do precisely with how we can keep building bonds.
A land of fruitfulness demands contexts in which roots can be planted and give rise to a vital network capable of ensuring that the members of its communities feel “at home”. There is no worse form of alienation than to feel uprooted, belonging to no one. A land will be fruitful, and its people bear fruit and give birth to the future, only to the extent that it can foster a sense of belonging among its members, create bonds of integration between generations and different communities; and avoid all that make us insensitive to others and lead to further alienation. In this effort, dear friends, I wish to assure you that you can count always on the support and help of Catholic Church, a small community in your midst, yet one most desirous of contributing to the fruitfulness of this land.
Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank you once more for your welcome and hospitality. May the Lord bless you and the beloved Estonian people. In a special way, may he bless the elderly and the young, so that, by cherishing memory and upholding it, they may make this land a model of fruitfulness. Thank you.
(Original text in Italian; translation by Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
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