Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday.
PANAJI
Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli arrived in the State on Friday and will preside over a number of celebrations and events during his visit from December 3 to December 5.
The Apostolic Nuncio was welcomed at the airport by Archbishop-Patriarch Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao along with Vicar General Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes, Archbishop's Secretary Fr Loiola Pereira and Financial Administrator Fr Noel D'Costa.
On his arrival at Archbishop's house, Archbishop Girelli was again given a warm welcome by Cardinal Ferrao. A choral piece titled 'Salve Pater' expressing warm greetings to the Apostolic Nuncio was sung by the staff and members of the Bishop's house under the guidance of Fr Romeo Monteiro.
In the evening, Apostolic Nuncio paid a courtesy visit to the Governor and the Chief Minister.
The Papal Ambassador will preside at the Solemn Pontifical Mass on the occasion of the Feast of St Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa on December 3.
Later that evening, he will visit Asro (HIV Community Care Centre for Children), Tivim, Asha Bhavan (Home for Senior Women & Women in Distress), Tivim and the Clergy Home, Porvorim.
On December 4, the Apostolic Nuncio will celebrate Mass in the Parish of Our Lady of Rosary, Caranzalem and will later meet representatives of Parish Pastoral Councils, Associations of the Faithful & Movements and Diocesan Bodies at the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa.
In the evening, he will visit the Institute Mater Dei, Formation House for Women Religious (CRI), will meet the women and men religious working in the Archdiocese and will visit the Museum of Christian Art and the Cathedral Church in Old Goa.
On December 5, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli will visit the Sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz, Sancoale, the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol and will meet the Clergy working in the Archdiocese. He will depart from Goa later in the afternoon.
