Papal Mass in Paraguay becomes makeshift Argentine welcome
Jul 11, 12:49 PM EDT
Papal Mass in Paraguay becomes makeshift Argentine welcome
By PETER PRENGAMAN and NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press
CAACUPE, Paraguay (AP) -- Pope Francis received a very Argentine welcome Saturday at Paraguay's most important pilgrimage site, with thousands of his countrymen joining hundreds of thousands of Paraguayan faithful for a Mass that served as a makeshift homecoming for the Argentine pope.
Argentina's blue and white flag and its national team soccer jersey were ubiquitous among the mate tea-sipping faithful who packed the main square and nearby streets at Caacupe, which houses a little wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that is close to Francis' heart.
When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio often visited the Villa 21 slum where many Paraguayan immigrants live, joining them in their religious processions and celebrating baptisms at their church, Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupe.
"Being here with you makes me feel at home," Francis said at the start of his homily. But he made clear that his sentiments were very much directed at Paraguayans, dedicating his homily to the women of this tiny, land-locked nation who rebuilt the country after a devastating war in the 1860s wiped out more than half the population, primarily men.
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A million faithful throng Paraguay town for Pope's visit
Published1 hour ago
CAACUPE, Paraguay (AFP) - About a million worshippers packed the Paraguayan town of Caacupe on Saturday to see Pope Francis, who is wrapping up a three-country South America tour in which he has repeatedly spoken up for the poor.
The Pope, 78, paid special tribute to Paraguay's women, largely left widowed and orphaned during the War of the Triple Alliance from 1865 to 1870, which nearly decimated the male population.
"I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by war," Francis said. "You are keepers of the memory, the lifeblood of those who rebuilt the life, faith and dignity of your people."
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Francis, who is from Argentina, is not visiting his home country on this trip but thousands of Argentines came by bus - some on journeys lasting 50 hours - to welcome the Pope in a homecoming of sorts.
More:
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/americas/a-million-faithful-throng-paraguay-town-for-popes-visit