Santiago, Chile, Aug 28, 2006 / 22:00 pm
A gold ring that belonged to the late Pope John Paul II has been stolen from a religious museum in the Chilean city of Coquimbo, located 450 kilometers north of Santiago.
According to the newspaper “El Mercurio,” the ring, which was donated in October of 2000 by the Pope, was stolen when burglars broke a window and entered the Shrine of the Cross of the Third Millennium, where the museum is located.
The director of the shrine, Ramon Bravo, revealed that the thieves, believed to be a man and a woman, also stole two golden pectoral crosses that were donated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Chile, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli.
He said the stolen objects, which have a combined commercial value of $600,000, are of enormous “religious and sentimental value” to Coquimbo.
Bravo also said that after the robbery, a gold ring and a silver pectoral cross donated in 2002 by then-Cardinal Ratzinger were taken off display.
Local police officials have alerted jewelers and collectors to be on the lookout for the precious items.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA