Pope Francis Video Message to Romania " The bonds of faith that unite us date back to the Apostles..." Full Text

VIDEO MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE IMMINENT
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY IN ROMANIA
[31 May - 2 June 2019]

Dear brothers and sisters of Romania!

There are only a few days left for the journey that will take me among you. This thought gives me joy and I wish now to address my most cordial greeting to you all.

I come to Romania, a beautiful and welcoming country, as a pilgrim and brother, and I thank the President and the other Authorities of the Nation for inviting me and for full cooperation. Already anticipate the joy of meeting the Patriarch and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as well as the Pastors and the Catholic faithful.

The bonds of faith that unite us date back to the Apostles, in particular to the bond that united Peter and Andrew, who according to tradition brought faith to your lands. Blood brothers, they were also in bloodshed for the Lord. And among you there have been so many martyrs, even in recent times, like the seven Greek-Catholic Bishops that I will have the joy of proclaiming Blessed. What they have suffered, to the point of offering life, is too precious a heritage to be forgotten. And it is a common heritage, which calls us not to distance ourselves from the brother who shares it.

I come among you to walk together. We walk together when we learn to guard the roots and the family, when we take care of the future of the children and of the brother who is next to us, when we go beyond the fears and suspicions, when we drop the barriers that separate us from others.

I know that many are intensely preparing my visit, and I thank you from my heart. To all of you I assure my closeness in prayer and I send my Blessing. And I ask you, please, to pray for me. See you later!