Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aparecida (Fides Service) - The small town of Aparecida, the site of Brazil's National Marian Shrine offered a warm welcome Pope Benedict XVI who had come to open the 5th General Conference of the Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean. Aparecida has a population of a little more than 8,000 but 30,000 gathered in the town to welcome the Pope on Friday 11 May. The Pope and his entourage stayed at 19th century Bon Jesús Seminary. The Pope was welcomed by Archbishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis, and the mayor, José Luiz Rodrigues who presented the Holy Father with the keys of the town.
Saturday the Pope visited the ‘Fazenda da Esperança’ community at Guarantiguetá where drug addicts start a new life. He was warmly welcomed. In his address Pope Benedict XVI urged drug dealers to consider the harm they do to people and society and he warned them "human dignity cannot be trampled on in this way ”. Praising the volunteers who work at the Fazenda, the Pope said their "valid activity” helped in inmates to undertake “ conversion, re-establishing a relationship with God and taking an active part in the life of the Church".
The Pope's visit to Aparecida continued with the recitation of the Rosary with clergy, religious, deacons and seminarians at the church of Our Lady Aparecida. The Pope was welcomed by the Archbishop of Aparecida Raymundo Damasceno Assis, and after the prayers the Pope addressed those present and concluded "It is with great hope that I turn to all of you assembled here within this majestic Basilica, and to all who took part in the Holy Rosary from outside, to invite you to become profoundly missionary and to bring the Good News of the Gospel to every point of the compass in Latin America and in the world. Let us ask the Mother of God, Our Lady of Aparecida, to protect the lives of all Christians. May she, who is the Star of Evangelization, guide our steps along the path towards the heavenly Kingdom"
On Sunday 13 May the Pope presided the Mass for the opening of 5th General Conference of the Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) and in the afternoon he presided the first session of the Conference. CELAM president Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, told the Pope that the Continent of Hope was deeply grateful for his presence. The Holy Father then addressed the Conference which was the principal motive for his visit to Brazil.
The Holy Father said goodbye to Brazil expressing his gratitude for the demonstration of such faith and love for the Successor of Peter. Present at the airport political and civil authorities, the president of the Bishops' Conference Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha of Mariana; the Archbishop of São Paulo Odilo Pedro Scherer and auxiliaries and Bishop Luiz Gonzaga Bergonzini of Guarulhos.
The Pope said: “ The signs of enthusiasm and the deep piety of this people of the Land of the Holy Cross will remain for ever impressed in my memory. Together with so many pilgrims from the length and breadth of the Continent of Hope, they have given whole-hearted proof of their faith in Christ and their love for the Successor of Peter. I pray that the Lord will assist religious and civil leaders to give renewed impulse to the initiatives that are awaited by all for the common good of the great Latin American family." The Pope thanked the president of Brazil and all the authorities, the bishops, priests, religious, those who organised the Conference, "You have all contributed to the splendour of these days, filling those taking part with joy and hope — gaudium et spes! — for the Christian family and for its mission in society. Be assured: I carry you all with me in my heart, and from the depths of my heart I impart a blessing to you, which I extend to all the peoples of Latin America and the world.”. (LF/RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2007 righe 44 parole 435)
