An important visit to the Convent of St. Saviour where the Minister Francesco Rutelli, the Italian vice Premier, met the Father Custos and the friars who had gathered for the occasion.
The Minister was also here representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Cultural Affairs.
Whilst recalling all these high Italian constitutional positions, the Father Custos made his welcome address, expressing to Mr. Rutelli the gratitude of the Custody for everything that Italy does in aid of the Holy Land and at the same time underlining how much Italy still can do, especially in view of Italian culture’s long tradition of care of the artistic and archaeological heritage.
The Minister recalled the great attention with which the government follows the vicissitudes of the Land, and the service performed here by the Franciscans.
Speaking of the many cultural initiatives which in the Holy Land honour the generosity and genius of the Italian people, and which bring to the attention of the politicians the protection of the cultural heritage which belongs to Humanity, he confirmed and reassured the friars of the attention that the Italian government intends to give to the efforts of study and custody of the Holy Places, which has always been the prime task of the Franciscan fathers.
The reception was then followed by a moment of conviviality begun by Mr. Rutelli when he recalled that there is a correspondence between his name, Francesco, and that of his sister, who is called Chiara (Clare).
The Father Custos and the Minister then continued their meeting in the office of the Custos.
IB
The Minister was also here representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Cultural Affairs.
Whilst recalling all these high Italian constitutional positions, the Father Custos made his welcome address, expressing to Mr. Rutelli the gratitude of the Custody for everything that Italy does in aid of the Holy Land and at the same time underlining how much Italy still can do, especially in view of Italian culture’s long tradition of care of the artistic and archaeological heritage.
The Minister recalled the great attention with which the government follows the vicissitudes of the Land, and the service performed here by the Franciscans.
Speaking of the many cultural initiatives which in the Holy Land honour the generosity and genius of the Italian people, and which bring to the attention of the politicians the protection of the cultural heritage which belongs to Humanity, he confirmed and reassured the friars of the attention that the Italian government intends to give to the efforts of study and custody of the Holy Places, which has always been the prime task of the Franciscan fathers.
The reception was then followed by a moment of conviviality begun by Mr. Rutelli when he recalled that there is a correspondence between his name, Francesco, and that of his sister, who is called Chiara (Clare).
The Father Custos and the Minister then continued their meeting in the office of the Custos.
IB