Lima, Peru, May 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, told Peruvians this week “Pope Benedict XVI is a gift from John Paul II, we have loved him since even before [his election],” and he said, “We love him now even more because it is easy to see the reflection of John Paul II in him.”
In his first Mass since the Conclave, the cardinal thanked believers for their prayers and asked they continue praying for the Holy Father. “Let us not forsake him, let’s accompany him with our prayers,” he stated.
The cardinal presided at Mass at the Cathedral of Lima on the feast of St. Toribio of Mongrovejo, patron of the bishops of Latin America, and he extended Benedict XVI’s blessing to the Peruvian people.