Luanda, 30 June, 2023 / 8:45 pm (ACI Africa).
The representative of the Holy Father in Angola has called on the people of God in the Southern African nation to continue offering prayers for Pope Francis to have “the strength” to carry on his mission of shepherding the Universal Church.
In his homily during the Thanksgiving Mass to mark the belated 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as Pope, Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari also recognized the good relations between the Holy See and Angola.
“As the Church in Angola celebrates 10 Years of the Holy Father’s Pontificate, let us continue praying for Pope Francis for God to give him the strength to continue his mission,” Archbishop Gaspari said during the Holy Mass that was held at Holy Family Parish of Luanda Archdiocese on Thursday, June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
He added, “The Holy See through the Pope has always shown great respect and concern for this noble country of deep-rooted Christian traditions, a country where human relations are extraordinarily harmonious and cordial as I personally experience in visits and meetings.”
Pope Francis was elected on 13 March 2013 and officially began his pastoral ministry as Bishop of Rome and head of the Universal Church on 19 March 2013, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph.