The event, he said, "reaffirmed that harmony, even amid a diversity of opinions, is the sure path to achieving the common good of the entire Polish people."
"Similarly, fruitful cooperation in the international sphere and mutual esteem grow through awareness of, and respect for, one's own identity and that of others. Dialogue cannot exist unless each party starts out from its own identity," he said, and encouraged the Polish people to take a look at their recent past.
In order to look at one's history and take the good while leaving the bad behind, one must have "a solid hope and trust in the One who guides the destinies of peoples, opens closed doors, turns problems into opportunities and creates new scenarios from situations that appeared hopeless."
This is evident given Poland's own historical context, the Pope said, noting that an awareness of the progress made, coupled with the joy of achieving one's goals, becomes a source of strength for facing current challenges.
These challenges, he said, "call for the courage of truth and constant ethical commitment, to ensure that decisions and actions, as well as human relationships, will always be respectful of the dignity of the person."
"In this, every sphere of action is involved, including the economy, environmental concerns and the handling of the complex phenomenon of migration," he said, noting that the topic of migration in particular "calls for great wisdom and compassion, in order to overcome fear and to achieve the greater good."
"There is a need to seek out the reasons for emigration from Poland and to facilitate the return of all those wishing to repatriate," Francis said, adding that "a spirit of readiness" to welcome those fleeing war and hunger and to show solidarity with those deprived of fundamental rights, including the right to "profess one's faith in freedom and safety," is also needed.
However, Pope Francis noted that at the same time, new methods of cooperation are needed at the international level in order resolve the conflicts and wars which "force so many people to leave their homes and their native lands."
This, he said, "means doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering while tirelessly working with wisdom and constancy for justice and peace, bearing witness in practice to human and Christian values."
Given Poland's complex, history, Francis invited the Polish nation "to look with hope to the future and the issues before it," explaining that attitude will help foster "a climate of respect between all elements of society and constructive debate on differing positions."
He spoke of the need for social policies which support the poor, families and the disadvantaged, stressing that "life must always be welcomed and protected."
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"These two things go together – welcome and protection, from conception to natural death. All of us are called to respect life and care for it."
On the other hand, the Pope noted that it is also the responsibility of the State, the Church and society to both accompany and assist those "in serious difficulty" in order to ensure that "a child will never be seen as a burden but as a gift, and those who are most vulnerable and poor will not be abandoned."
Francis closed his speech by affirming the full cooperation of the Catholic Church with Poland, so that "the nation may, in changed historical conditions, move forward in fidelity to its finest traditions and with trust and hope, even in times of difficulty. May Our Lady of Czestochowa bless and protect Poland!"