This morning, before his departure, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass in the chapel at the private residence of the Archbishop emeritus of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, the Holy Father confided to the Virgin of Copacabana, Patroness of Bolivia, the two honours which had been presented to him by the President of the State, Evo Morales during the courtesy visit His Holiness paid to him in the Presidential Palace in La Paz.
The Holy Father, deeply grateful for the distinction that the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia accorded to him, and in recognition of the nobility and piety of the Bolivian people, has asked the Virgin of Copacabana to care for and to look after this beloved people, who he entrusts to her protection, with motherly tenderness. At the conclusion of this morning's Mass, His Holiness spoke the following words:
The President of this nation, in a gesture of warmth, has had the delicacy to offer me two gifts in the name of the Bolivian people. I am grateful for the affection of the Bolivian people and appreciate this finesse on the part of the President and I would like to entrust these two gifts to Patron of Bolivia, to the Mother of this noble nation, that She may always remember this people from Bolivia, from her Shrine, where these gifts will remain as a remembrance of the Successor of Peter, of the entire Church and of Bolivia's care and concern for them.
Mother of our Saviour, and Mother of us all, Queen of Bolivia, from the heights of your Shrine in Copacabana, be attentive to the prayers and the needs of your children, especially the poor and the abandoned, and protect them.
Receive as a gift from the heart of Bolivia and with my filial affection, these symbols of affection and closeness which - in the name of the Bolivian people - President Evo Morales Ayma presented to me with warmth and affection on the occasion of my Apostolic visit, all of whom I now entrust to your maternal intercession.
I pray that these acknowledgements, which I leave here in Bolivia at your feet, may be reminders for us like the flight of the noble Condor in the skies over the Andes and of the celebrated sacrifice of Father Luis Espinal, SJ, of the perennial love and gratitude of the Bolivian people for your care and enduring tenderness.
At this moment, I place into your heart, my prayers for all the petitions of your children, which I have received during these days, beloved Mother: I beg you to hear them; grant to them your encouragement and your protection, and show to all of Bolivia the loving tenderness of Mother of God, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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| Pope Francis received a gift from the President of Bolivia during the courtesy visit he paid on July 8, 2015 |
Words spoken by the Holy Father, Pope Francis
on the occasion of the entrusting of gifts to the
Virgin of Copacabana, Patroness of Bolivia
Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), July 10, 2015
The Holy Father, deeply grateful for the distinction that the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia accorded to him, and in recognition of the nobility and piety of the Bolivian people, has asked the Virgin of Copacabana to care for and to look after this beloved people, who he entrusts to her protection, with motherly tenderness. At the conclusion of this morning's Mass, His Holiness spoke the following words:
The President of this nation, in a gesture of warmth, has had the delicacy to offer me two gifts in the name of the Bolivian people. I am grateful for the affection of the Bolivian people and appreciate this finesse on the part of the President and I would like to entrust these two gifts to Patron of Bolivia, to the Mother of this noble nation, that She may always remember this people from Bolivia, from her Shrine, where these gifts will remain as a remembrance of the Successor of Peter, of the entire Church and of Bolivia's care and concern for them.
Prayer of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
Mother of our Saviour, and Mother of us all, Queen of Bolivia, from the heights of your Shrine in Copacabana, be attentive to the prayers and the needs of your children, especially the poor and the abandoned, and protect them.
Receive as a gift from the heart of Bolivia and with my filial affection, these symbols of affection and closeness which - in the name of the Bolivian people - President Evo Morales Ayma presented to me with warmth and affection on the occasion of my Apostolic visit, all of whom I now entrust to your maternal intercession.
I pray that these acknowledgements, which I leave here in Bolivia at your feet, may be reminders for us like the flight of the noble Condor in the skies over the Andes and of the celebrated sacrifice of Father Luis Espinal, SJ, of the perennial love and gratitude of the Bolivian people for your care and enduring tenderness.
At this moment, I place into your heart, my prayers for all the petitions of your children, which I have received during these days, beloved Mother: I beg you to hear them; grant to them your encouragement and your protection, and show to all of Bolivia the loving tenderness of Mother of God, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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