Pope Benedict XVI will present a new statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to Chile during this week’s Wednesday General Audience. The statue will travel throughout the country bringing consolation to those suffering from the devastating February 27 earthquake.

According to a press release, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago, Bishop Alejandro Goic Karmelic of Rancagua and Auxiliary Bishop Santiago Silva Retamales of Valparaiso will be at the audience, where the Pope will bless the statue and present it as a gift to the Church and people of Chile on the occasion of the country’s bicentennial.

The statue will be official delivered to the Chilean prelates by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, during a Mass concelebrated with all the country's bishops during the first week of April.