Pope Francis has expressed his appreciation to Filipinos for "bringing that faith with them whenever they are working."
The Pope sent the message through Vatican Archbishop Paul Gallagher, who paid a courtesy call to President Marcos on Tuesday, July 2.
“The Holy Father is sending you his greetings, Your Excellency. As most attached to the Filipino people [and] to the church in the Philippines,” said Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations and States and International Organizations.
The Vatican official said Pope Francis appreciates the Filipinos for their amazing work and contribution to the Catholic Church not only in the Philippines, but around the world “bringing that faith with them, whenever they’re working.”
Marcos, on the other hand, conveyed his good wishes to the Pope and highlighted the vibrant relationship between the Philippines and the Holy See, which spans 73 years since it was established on April 8, 1951.
Gallagher, who is on a five-day visit to the Philippines, expressed hope that his visit would renew the thriving relationship between the Philippines and the Holy See.
“I’m delighted it’s been possible to make this visit. It’s long overdue, in fact. But hopefully contacts will be renewed and continued,” Gallagher said. “It’ a very, very thriving relationship, I think.”
Gallagher is set to visit Malaybalay, Bukidnon to participate in the Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on July 3, according to the Vatican News.
The Archbishop will also celebrate Mass with the bishops in the Abbey of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay on July 4. He will then deliver an address at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 5.