Vatican spokesman denies risks to Pope’s safety in Rio

Criado em 23/07/13 19h49 e atualizado em 23/07/13 19h53
Por Agência Brasil Edição:s

Brasília – Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi denied on Monday (July 22) threats to Pope Francis’s safety and risks to which he could be exposed when he was driven through the streets of Rio with the window of his car open. In his opinion, the pontiff’s intention was to be closer to the people. He denied breaches in the safety scheme. “The pope wanted to make an impression,” said the spokesman. “It was his first experience, he’s just gotten here. We saw people’s excitement. This is something new, and maybe a lesson for the next days. We have to find the right way.”

Father Lombardi stressed that the Pope is happy for having “come back to his beloved Latin America.” He added that the heart is the way to reach the people, and that is why Pope Francis wanted to be near the faithful the whole time.

As regards possible changes in the Pope’s schedule, Lombardi made it clear: “If the Pope wishes to meet an acquaintance or to formally receive someone, he’ll be able to do it freely, but I don’t think there will be any important events apart from the WYD [World Youth Day] opening mass, to be celebrated by Rio’s archbishop, cardinal Orani [Tempesta].”

When asked about the discovery of a bomb in a washroom in the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida (180km away from São Paulo), Lombardi denied any concerns. In his opinion, the bomb did not have any connection with the Pope. Francis will celebrate mass tomorrow (July 24) at 10:30 a.m. at the sanctuary.

(with information from the Vatican Radio)

Editors: Beto Coura / Olga Bardawil
Translators: Fabrício Ferreira / Olga Bardawil