Santiago, Chile, Apr 9, 2010 / 15:38 pm
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, arrived Thursday at the city of Punta Arenas in southern Chile. During his welcome, he recalled “the generous action of John Paul in the gift of the achievement of peace between Chile and Argentina.”
According to the Bishops’ Conference of Chile, Bishop Bernardo Bastres Florence of Punta Arenas welcomed Cardinal Bertone “to the most southern diocese in world, to the land St. John Bosco dreamed about, where he sent his first and best sons to bring the Gospel to these ends of South America.”
For his part, the Vatican Secretary of State expressed his “immense motion” at “being among you in Punta Arenas, in the land of the last hope. I am moved to be in the land evangelized by the charism of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians, which has served you with generous commitment.”
“I bring the affection of the Holy Father who has given the Chilean people the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Carmel. She is the mother of comfort who accompanies the regions that have suffered the consequences of the earthquake in a special way,” the cardinal said.
He also recalled “the generous action of John Paul II in the gift of the achievement of peace between Chile and Argentina. Today with the same strength as yesterday we pray for wisdom that those who govern nations may lead them always along the path of brotherhood, united by friendship and shared values.”
On Thursday, the cardinal visited the Salesian Museum and held a meeting with young people. He also celebrated Mass at the Cathedral at 7:00 p.m.