Your Excellencies, dear faithful people, and dear Latgallians,
I am very happy to welcome you at the sacred place, Aglona, today and to be together with you. Here in Aglona, we experience the power of faith and prayer in a very special way.
This year, many thousands of pilgrims have also managed their way to Aglona as every year before. It is touching to see that many concerns include both immediate needs of yourself and your beloved ones and prayers for our land, our government, our army, local governments, and entrepreneurs, for all and every single one, who is entrusted with responsibility for Latvia and our people.
Latvia needs every one of us. Latvia needs our hands and hearts, our deeds and our thoughts. Let us strengthen each other in faith. Let us encourage for good deeds. Let us appreciate the fact that we can live in a free Latvia. Let us thank for the peace within our country and our region.
Today, we are gaining new strength in Aglona so that everyone can do in good faith what he or she is entrusted. We can fully develop our country only by joint efforts. I am sure that every of us has something to give in order to make Latvia stronger.
We commenced the celebrations on the first centenary of our country in Latgale this year by celebrating the historic Latgale Congress. In all times, the Catholic Church has played an important role in the spiritual rebirth and the twists and turns of destiny of our people. Today, you are watchful for Latvia, our people, and our values.
In Latvia, the visit of Saint John Paul II to the Baltic States, including our country - both in Riga and here in Aglona in September 1993, is still well remembered. It was an unforgettable event for all residents of Latvia.
I recently visited the Pope Francis in Vatican. The Pope was greatly interested in our country, sincere friendship and cooperation among the people of various nationalities and various denominations. We also discussed contemporary challenges and the fact how much we need wisdom, courage to overcome difficulties, faith in ourselves, providence, and hope.
I invited the Pope Francis to visit Terra Mariana (the land of Mara) next year, give his blessings to Latvia, and encourage our people. Let us all join in a common prayer for our land, country, and people today:
God bless Latgale!
God bless Latvia!