During the celebration of Mass at the Basilica of Lujan near Buenos Aires, the archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, called on the people of Argentina and Spain to “advance an alliance of faith, founded on the love of Christ.”

“It has been a joy to discover the similarities that exist between Madrid and Buenos Aires.  Argentina and Spain should make an alliance of faith, which should be based on the love of Christ,” the cardinal said.

After the Mass, Cardinal Rouco, together with Bishop Ruben Di Monte of Lujan-Mercedes, blessed the hundreds of faithful gathered at the Basilica.

Last Thursday the Spanish cardinal was made an honorary citizen of the city of Mar del Plata and given an honorary doctorate by one of the local Catholic universities.