"If you stay closely united, you are like a tree standing in the middle of a bush-fire sweeping through the timber. The leaves are scorched and the tough bark is scarred and burned; but inside the tree the sap is still flowing, and under the ground the roots are still strong. Like that tree you have endured the flames, and you still have the power to be reborn. The time for this rebirth is now!"

Pope John Paul II, Alice Springs 1986

Pope John Paul 11's Speech at Alice Springs

You will find a copy of the Pope's speech here

• There is a PDF version available at NATSIEC

• Along with the speech at Alice Springs, all the other addresses by the Pope are available at the official Vatican website