The first feast day of St. John Paul II was celebrated in Venezuela by the Apostolic Nuncio, who prayed that the recently canonized saint would accompany the nation “in the path of peace and justice.”
Archbishop Aldo Giordano, the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, participated in a tribute to Pope John Paul II on Tuesday.
The tribute was prepared by the authorities of Venezuela in Chacao, which is one of the Metropolitan District of Caracas’ five municipalities.
“This is a time of reflection and spirituality,” the mayor of Chacao said Sunday in the presence of religious and civil authorities and the townspeople.
“We come to humbly pay a tribute to John Paul II, a great man who taught us the path to find peace, reconciliation, solidarity and freedom,” he said, “which is now, more than ever, valid for all Venezuelans.”
The Apostolic Nuncio, in a note sent to Fides News Agency, expressed his joy and satisfaction for the tribute paid to the recently made saint.
He expressed that all Venezuelans have “at heart” Saint John Paul II’s closeness towards the whole world, peoples, different cultures and religions.
“He was very fond of our beloved Venezuela, so I feel very happy to share with you this tribute to our beloved Saint,” he said. He also prayed, “Pope John Paul II, accompany our beloved Venezuela in the path of peace and justice.”
At the end of the public celebration, Archbishop Giordano told reporters that “the dialogue that has taken place so far has been with the media. Now it is time for concrete action,” which, he said, will be assisted by the Church.
