His Eminence Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, paid a visit on Monday morning to the Custos of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Franciscan community of Saint Saviour’s.
Received in the convent’s community room, he replied very warmly to the Custos’ welcoming address. “During my three previous visits to the Holy Land, I already discovered the unique and irreplaceable role that the Custody of the Holy Land plays, not only for the Holy Places, but also for the Christians of this country.”
His Eminence Cardinal Sandri was named Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches on June 9, 2007, by Pope Benedict XVI and was elevated to a cardinal’s purple during the Consistory of November, 2007. This is his first visit to the Holy Land since his nomination.
“The pope knows that I am here and he wanted to give his Blessing to this trip and to show his support, not only of the Oriental Churches, but of the entire Church present in the Holy Land.”
The cardinal stressed the gratitude of the Congregation and of the Holy Father for the Custody’s work. He promised the Custody his support during his mission at the head of the Congregation so that throughout the world assistance will continue to arrive for all of its works.
“The Holy Father realizes as I do that without your presence over the course of centuries and despite all the difficulties the Holy Land would not have the face that we see today, and the presence of local Christians could not have been maintained without your help.”
The Cardinal was accompanied by his close collaborators and by the Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate, Msgr. Antonio Franco.
His Eminence presented the Custos with commemorative medal of Benedict XVI’s pontificate and gave to each of the friars present a picture of the Virgin Mary with a prayer for peace. On behalf of the Custody Brother Pierbattista presented the Prefect with two mother-of-pearl souvenirs.
Following a fraternal visit, the cardinal and his retinue mounted to the roof of the convent, which offers a magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem and its environs.
Everyone was to reassemble in the afternoon for the prelate’s Solemn Entry to the Holy Sepulcher.
MAB
Received in the convent’s community room, he replied very warmly to the Custos’ welcoming address. “During my three previous visits to the Holy Land, I already discovered the unique and irreplaceable role that the Custody of the Holy Land plays, not only for the Holy Places, but also for the Christians of this country.”
His Eminence Cardinal Sandri was named Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches on June 9, 2007, by Pope Benedict XVI and was elevated to a cardinal’s purple during the Consistory of November, 2007. This is his first visit to the Holy Land since his nomination.
“The pope knows that I am here and he wanted to give his Blessing to this trip and to show his support, not only of the Oriental Churches, but of the entire Church present in the Holy Land.”
The cardinal stressed the gratitude of the Congregation and of the Holy Father for the Custody’s work. He promised the Custody his support during his mission at the head of the Congregation so that throughout the world assistance will continue to arrive for all of its works.
“The Holy Father realizes as I do that without your presence over the course of centuries and despite all the difficulties the Holy Land would not have the face that we see today, and the presence of local Christians could not have been maintained without your help.”
The Cardinal was accompanied by his close collaborators and by the Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate, Msgr. Antonio Franco.
His Eminence presented the Custos with commemorative medal of Benedict XVI’s pontificate and gave to each of the friars present a picture of the Virgin Mary with a prayer for peace. On behalf of the Custody Brother Pierbattista presented the Prefect with two mother-of-pearl souvenirs.
Following a fraternal visit, the cardinal and his retinue mounted to the roof of the convent, which offers a magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem and its environs.
Everyone was to reassemble in the afternoon for the prelate’s Solemn Entry to the Holy Sepulcher.
MAB