Vatican City, Nov 17, 2008 / 01:38 pm (CNA).- On Saturday, the Holy Father appointed Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as pontifical legate to the World Meeting of Families in Mexico City and Cardinal Franc Rode as his special envoy for the closing celebrations of the Jubilee year of the Cistercian Abbey in Waldsassen, Germany.

Benedict XVI has decided to send Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone to Mexico City as his legate for celebrations marking the Sixth World Meeting of Families scheduled to be held January, 13 – 18, 2009.

Additionally, the Pope appointed Cardinal Franc Rode, the current prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as his special envoy to attend the closing jubilee celebrations of the Cisterian Abbey of Waldsassen, Germany.  The abbey will celebrate its 875^th anniversary on November 23.

Accompanying the Cardinal Rode will be two priests:  Fr. Thomas Denter, the former abbot of Marienstatt, and Fr. Gabriel K. Lobendanz, spiritual assistant to the Abbey of Waldsassen.

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