POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES WORKERS FROM VATICAN'S “FLORERIA”

Vatican City, 17 January 2014 (VIS) – This morning in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis received employees from the Vatican's “Floreria” services. Their main task is preparing the adornments for audiences and ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica and Square, the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Apostolic Palace, and the other papal basilicas. They are also in charge of furnishing and maintaining the Vatican apartments for the Pope and other bishops and prelates of the Curia. Its services include three workshops: one for the restoration and repair of textiles, one for woodworking, and one for gilding.

“In these past months,” the Holy Father commented, “I have realized the importance of your work … which requires dedication, sacrifice of spirit, and much patience. I am thinking, for example, of the task of placing, each week, the thousands of chairs needed for the pilgrims who attend the general audiences as well as the work you carry out in the workshops. I wholeheartedly thank you for the care, the professionalism, and the willingness with which you carry out your work. I encourage you to persevere in the faithfulness to your tasks and to keep up amongst yourselves the atmosphere of serenity, mutual trust, and goodwill. This way of life and work will return to the benefit of the Vatican's entire working community.”

In conclusion, the Bishop of Rome bid the workers farewell, invoking upon them and their family members the blessing of St. Joseph the Worker.