One
and Half Million Argentinians join Pope Francis in Paraguay
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is currently in Paraguay's capital
Asunciòn on the last leg of his three country Apostolic journey to Latin
America which has also taken him to Ecuador and Bolivia. Linda
Bordoni is currently in Asunciòn and tells us how the Pope's fellow countrymen
are far from missing the opportunity to get close to him.
What has been happening on the border between Paraguay and
Argentina is being described as “historic”.
Immigration officials in both countries say some 1.5 million
Argentinians are giving life to what is estimated to be the biggest border
crossing for any single event in the region’s history.
The reason for the exodus of course, is Pope Francis. His fellow
countrymen want to get close to him and show him how much they love and
appreciate him.
That’s why there are so many pale blue and white flags mingled
in with the red, white and blue Paraguayan colours and of course the Vatican’s
yellow and white.
Many Argentinians made their presence felt on Saturday morning
at the Marian Shrine of Caacupé where Pope Francis must have felt particularly
“at home” also because of the personal connection he has with the Virgin of
Caacupé which is rooted in his pastoral work in Buenos Aires.
Yes, because when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal
Bergoglio often visited the “Villa 21” slum where many Paraguayan immigrants
live, joining them in their religious processions and celebrating baptisms at
their Church: Our Lady of Caacupé.
What’s more, making that same trip across the border is also a
large contingent of Paraguayans: about one fifth of the roughly one million
immigrants living in Argentina today.
That’s why Argentina has opened a number of new border control
offices and immigration checkpoints en route to Paraguay, a poor country that
needs the Pope’s blessing and is receiving him with open arms.
In Asuncion with Pope Francis, I’m Linda Bordoni
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét