Pope in Colombia: Nuncio says Francis comes as a
'friend'
 |
Archbishop Ettore Balestrero.
apostolic nuncio in Colombia, speaks about Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to
the nation, - EPA
(Vatican Radio) Just days after rebels in Colombia announced
turning in the last of their cache of weapons over to international observers,
the Vatican announced details of Pope Francis’ trip to the
war-torn nation.
It will be his 20th Apostolic
Journey abroad and sees him visiting four cities, starting his trip in
the Colombian capital of Bogota on September 6th, followed by day trips to Villavicencio,
Medellin and Cartagena.
He returns to Rome on Monday the 11th.
It is a crucial time in the country as it strives to
overcome more than five decades of internal conflict and achieve
reconciliation.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia, Archbishop Ettore
Balestrero, told Linda Bordoni that Colombians see Pope
Francis as a friend who is coming not only to encourage them on their path to
reconciliation and peace, but to affirm them in their faith and stand with them
at this crucial moment in their country’s history.
Archbishop Balestrero says the last papal visit to Colombia
took place 31 years ago and the people today are awaiting Francis with
enthusiasm and joy.
“Pope Francis is coming as pilgrim of hope, a pilgrim of
faith, a pilgrim of reconciliation, so there is a high expectation all over the
country, and people are extremely happy to receive him. They are honored for
his visit and ready to show him the warmth and the hospitality and also the
affectivity of the people,” he says.
While the eyes of the world are on the aspects of the visit
that have to do with peace and reconciliation in this special time for
Colombia, the Pope himself has underlined the pastoral nature of his visit.
“He is considered to be the friend who can help them to take
a step towards God and towards their brothers,” says Balestrero. "This
step," he says, "is first of all a step towards Christ”.
He says that Colombia is the 7th country in the world as far
as the number of Catholics is concerned: “The Pope’s presence therefore will
strengthen awareness that Christ is close to each Colombian person”.
In this perspective, Archbishop Balestrero says, the Pope
will help Colombians to look at their brothers through new eyes, with eyes of
hope, love and respect, within families, within communities, within villages.
Balestrero says he will also be inviting them to avoid
corruption and polarization and teach them how to balance truth and mercy in
the construction of the new country.
“The Holy Father will help and will guide us in striking a
balance and building up a society which is respectful of God and respectful of
men,” he says.
The Nuncio says the Pope will also be addressing his brother
bishops and the Church in Colombia and will presumably invite them to continue
to be close to the people and to share their hopes and their sufferings.
He mentions the two priests whom Pope Francis will beatify
during the journey – the parish priest of Armero and the bishop of Arauca (both
of whom provide powerful testimonies as the country heals from decades of conflict)
– and says Francis will hold them up as examples of how the Church is called to
lead the people with the lives and the testimonies of Her members, teach
forgiveness and build bridges.
Regarding the difficult political situation in neighboring
Venezuela and the exodus of people crossing the border, the Nuncio says there
have been meetings between the Bishops of the two nations and that the
Colombian bishops have invited the faithful to welcome their brothers from
Venezuela "to see in their faces the face of Christ- suffering, hungry,
thirsty - and not to consider their presence here as business, but as an
occasion to give help and support”.
Balestrero also says the bishops at the country's borders
want to join in an emergency pastoral plan to provide emergency aid and
juridical help to those who are arriving in Colombia.
(Linda Bordoni)
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