VIENNA, Austria, SEPT. 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI ended his three-day visit to Austria, expressing his hopes that the country will offer a contribution to Europe by salvaging the wealth found in its Christian roots.
The seventh international trip of this pontificate ended at the Vienna-Schwechat airport Sunday with a farewell ceremony. Austrian President Heinz Fischer and the president of the Austrian bishops' conference, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, were in attendance.
The Holy Father said: "Vienna, faithful to its rich history and its location in the vital center of Europe, can offer a specific contribution in this regard, by consistently helping to bring the traditional values of the continent, values shaped by the Christian faith, to the European institutions and to the work of promoting international, intercultural and interreligious relations."
The Pope departed around 8:15 p.m. on an Austrian Airlines Airbus.
In his address, the president of Austria emphasized the "great closeness" that was shown between the Bavarian Pope and his host country. He also said that a "comprehensive agreement" exists between the Holy See and Vienna, mentioning the common desire for peace and "social justice and solidarity," along with "dialogue among cultures and religions."
After a three-day visit plagued by almost constant rain and wind, the Pope jokingly commented before getting on board the aircraft that the weather had not presented an obstacle.
Besides Vienna, the principal destination of the trip was the sanctuary of Mariazell, which marked its 850th anniversary Saturday.
During the visit, Benedict XVI addressed themes such as the defense of human life in the face of abortion and euthanasia, the dangers of relativism that denies the existence of the truth, and the necessity of rediscovering the important role of Sunday in Western culture.
After landing in Rome, the Holy Father went directly to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence.
ZE07091010 - 2007-09-10