Washington D.C., Nov 14, 2011 / 17:23 pm
The new apostolic nuncio to the United States extended Pope Benedict’s love and greetings to the Catholic Church in America in his first address to the U.S. bishops since his Oct. 19 appointment.
“Despite the many challenges you may encounter today in modern society, the Holy Father is putting great hope in the Church in this country for the future of the Universal Church,” said Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò on Nov. 14.
The Pope’s new representative to the U.S. made his remarks to the country’s conference of bishops at their fall General Assembly in Baltimore. Archbishop Viganò told them he was looking forward to working with them and growing in friendship with them, and that their first meeting has brought him “deep joy.”
The nuncio said that Pope Benedict’s hope in the American Church presents “a very encouraging and challenging mandate.”