Medellin, Colombia, Sep 6, 2017 / 02:04 am
Simplicity and transparency have been key words in the preparations for Pope Francis' visit to Colombia, according to the secretary general of the Colombian bishops' conference.
Pope Francis is a "champion" of simplicity through his personal way of life and well as the requirements he makes for an apostolic voyage, Bishop Elkin Fernando Álvarez Botero, an auxiliary bishop of Medellin, told CNA.
"If we just begin with what the Pope asks for during an apostolic visit: a non-armored car, that there be no luxuries, that he's not going to ride in a luxury car, these things. Even thinking about how to host his delegation and himself, that this not entail exorbitant expenses," he emphasized.
"I have participated in the preparations and I can disclose … that we have really cut back a lot of things. You can't cut everything back on everything, some things are required, but many situations in fact have been trimmed down," Bishop Alvarez added.