Pope Francis not only sent a letter to Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop of Aparecida and president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, in which he expressed his gratitude for the affection and welcome he received on the occasion of his pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of Aparecida, he also wrote a letter to the governor of the region of Rio de Janeiro.
Dated August 2nd, the Holy Father thanked the civil authorities for the welcome he received during World Youth Day in Rio in July. The letter sent to Governor Sergio Cabral was published on Sunday by the O Estado de Sao Paolo newspaper.
Governor Cabral commented on the Holy Father’s message, saying: “The letter from His Holiness has moved us all.”
The Supreme Pontiff expressed his “sincere gratitude” for the welcoming during his stay in Rio and “for the work of all the sectors of the Federal Government and State who worked tirelessly to guarantee the good development of my visit.”
He also expressed his gratitude for having met the citizens at the Palace of Guanabara, seat of the state government of Rio de Janeiro, on the evening of his arrival.
The Pope assured his prayers “for the success of all the initiatives of the government in favor of the common good of the citizens of Rio, in particular for their public safety.
“I wish the most abundant blessing of God and ask that you please pray for me,” the letter concluded.
