VATICAN CITY, 13 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father is due to celebrate Mass for the people of Latin America for the bicentenary of their independence, according to a communique released by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. The celebration will take place in St. Peter's Basilica at 5.30 p.m. on 12 December, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of Latin America.
The communique explains that "this initiative is a gesture of the concern, affection and solidarity felt by the Holy Father towards the peoples and nations of the 'Continent of Hope', as it has been called by Roman Pontiffs from Paul VI to Benedict XVI. It is a clear expression of the pastoral solicitude with which Benedict XVI embraces those peoples, among whom the Gospel of Jesus Christ was sown and brought forth precious fruit. They represent 40 percent of the baptised of the Catholic Church, united in filial devotion to Most Holy Mary, while their local Churches remain in faithful communion with the See of Peter".
"The initiative is indicative of the original contribution the Catholic Church wishes to make to the commemoration of this bicentenary, in the light of historical truth, so as to throw light on the current situation in Latin America and nourish hope in a future of peace and justice".
The 12 December Mass will be attended by the Roman Curia, the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See and to the Italian government, Latin American priests religious and citizens who study or reside in Rome, and public figures from the Latin American continent.
COM-AL/ VIS 20111013 (270)
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