CARTAGENA / The nuncio of the Pope in Honduras thanks the work of the missionaries before the Virgin of Charity

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cartagena hosted yesterday afternoon, Sunday 9 September, the visit of the nuncio of His Holiness Pope Francis in Honduras, Bishop Novatus Rugambwa, who presided over the celebration of the Eucharist of the 7:00 pm, together with the Bishop of Cartagena, Mons. José Manuel Lorca Planes.

Upon his arrival, after praying in silence before the image of the patron saint of the city, Archbishop Rugambwa signed in the golden book of the Royal and Holy Hospital of Charity, where the rubrics of illustrious visitors are collected for several centuries.

In his homily, the nuncio entrusted himself to the Virgin of Charity, thanking God for the missionaries, «who courageously left these beautiful lands to open the doors of the Gospel in various parts of the world.» The Prelate made reference to the Gospel of Sunday, which recounted the passage in which Jesus heals a deaf person. «We all know that the closedness and isolation of man does not depend only on his sensory organs. There is an inner closure that concerns the deep core of the person, the heart. This is what Jesus came to open, to liberate, to live fully the relationship with God and with others, «he said.

He raised his petitions for the diocesan Church of Cartagena, «so that Christ may continue to open the hearts of his priests, religious, lay and especially missionaries; May I always give you joy and courage for the proclamation of the Gospel. » He also mentioned the four saints of Cartagena (San Isidoro, San Fulgencio, San Leandro and Santa Florentina), asking them to keep the Diocese united in communion with the Bishop.

Bishop Lorca asked the nuncio to transfer to the Holy Father the affection of the Church of Cartagena, which prays for him.