Rome, Italy, Mar 14, 2013 / 15:03 pm
A Venezuelan priest who concelebrated a Mass in Rome for the repose of the soul of President Hugo Chavez said the Mass was a gesture of love for God and forgiveness in Christ.
"Although there were differences between the government and the Church in Venezuela, the cardinal is showing that Jesus Christ is Father to all," Father Ramon Fajardo told CNA.
"The Church loves, forgives and embraces everyone," he said.
Fr. Fajardo, a parish priest on an island off the coast of Rome, concelebrated a March 8 Mass with Cardinal Jorge Urosa of Caracas, Venezuela. The Mass took place at Santa Maria dei Monti, Cardinal Urosa's titular church.
During the Mass, Cardinal Urosa, who was in Rome to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis, commended the soul of President Chavez to God and prayed for peace and unity for the Venezuelan people.