Vatican City, 22 February 2014 (VIS) –
On Thursday afternoon, in the study of the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis
received in audience Dilma Rousseff, president of Brazil. Ms.
Rousseff had travelled to Rome in order to attend today's Consistory,
in which Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro will be created
a cardinal.
The cordial discussions began at around
7.30 p.m., according to a communique from the director of the Holy
See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., and provided the Pope
with the opportunity to express once again his affection and good
wishes for the Brazilian people. Following the discussions, in the
adjacent room, the Pope greeted the delegation that accompanied the
President and gifts were exchanged.
President Rousseff, clearly making
reference to the upcoming football World Cup which will soon be held
in Brazil, gave the Pope a shirt from the Brazilian team, with the
number 10 and signed by Pele with the dedication, “To Pope Francis,
with respect and admiration”, and a ball signed by Cristiano
Ronaldo, “To Pope Francis, an embrace from your friend Ronaldo”.
Fr. Lombardi communicated that the Holy Father asked jokingly if with
these gifts, he was invited to pray for Brazil to win the Cup, and
the president answered that they asked only for neutrality. The Pope
gave as a gift an artistic medallion depicting “The Angel of
Peace”.
The meeting ended shortly after 8 p.m.
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