The following is the text of the Video Message of greeting and thanks sent by the Holy Father Francis to the people of Romania on the eve of his Apostolic Trip, to take place from 31 May to 2 June 2019, upon invitation from the highest authorities of the country:

Video Message of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters of Romania!

There are just a few days to go before the trip that will bring 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 a brother, and I thank the President and the other national authorities for inviting me and for their full collaboration. I am already anticipating the joy of meeting the Patriarch and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as well as the pastors and 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 brothers in bloodshed for the Lord. 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 conserve the roots and the family, when we take care of the future of the children and the brother who is next to us, when we go beyond fears and suspicions, when we lower the barriers that separate us from others.

I know that many are intensely preparing for 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 soon!