Statue of Our Lady of Aparecida in the Vatican Gardens

At 9:30am today, in the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, a new statue was unveiled in the Vatican gardens: a small bronze statue of Our Lady of Aparecida.

This is the culmination of a project jointly undertaken by the Embassy of Brazil to the Holy See and the Archdiocese of Aparecida (Brazil) which was overseen by Cardinal Raymundo Damascene Assis.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

for the installation of the statue of

Our Lady of Aparecida in the Vatican Gardens

I am happy that the image of Our Lady of Aparecida has been placed in the Gardens.  In 2013, I promised to return next year: I don't know if it will be possible, but at least she will be closer now, here.  I invite you all to pray that She will continue to care for all of Brazil, all Brazilian people, during this sad moment; that she will care for those who are poor, those who are discarded, for the elderly who are abandoned, for children in the streets; that she will care for all those who are abandoned and those who are placed into the hands of exploiters of all kinds; that she will save her people with social justice and with the love of Jesus Christ, her Son.

Let us lovingly ask this grace, for all the Brazilian people: that She, our Mother will bless us, and that this blessing may be shared with all those who are poor labourers.  May this blessing be shared with all those, especially those who are in need of work, of education, and those who have been deprived of their dignity.

Let us pray together ... Hail Mary ...

And can we sing together the song of Aparecida?
(They sing together)

The Pope then blessed all those who were present.

E’ stata trovata dai poveri lavoratori: che oggi sia trovata da tutti, in modo speciale da quelli che hanno bisogno di lavoro, di educazione, da quelli che sono privi della dignità.
PreghiamoLa insieme: Ave o Maria,…
Si può cantare il canto di Aparecida? [canto]
[Benedizione]