Pope Francis in Piedmont finds his relatives and his Italian origins

Jorge Bergoglio and his Italian origins: Pope Francis is in Piedmont to visit his relatives. Two days to remember the history of the Bergoglio family who emigrated to Argentina in the XNUMXs. The destination of the visit is Asti where his cousins ​​live.

Pope Francis in Piedmont

Yesterday, the first day of his visit, the pontiff had lunch with relatives and visited the elderly guests of a rest home. He stopped by for a brief greeting and then gave his blessing to the elders and all the operators of the structure. Today, solemnity of Christ the King, at 11 the first public moment will be held in Piedmontese land, With the mass presided over in the cathedral of Asti.

The Piedmontese trip to the places of origin of the Bergoglio family was long overdue, as the pope's ancestors were from Asti and Turin. Even in May 2013, the "Pope Francis - Asti" committee was formed, chaired by Guido Sodano, nephew of Cardinal Angelo, with a strong and heartfelt message: "Asti awaits you with open arms". In 2015 Pope Francis, on the occasion of his visit to the Holy Shroud in Turin, had had the opportunity to embrace his relatives, many of them from Portacomaro Station, the small fraction that gave birth in 1884 to the pope's paternal grandfather, Giovanni Bergoglio.

The greeting of the authorities

“It is an important and exciting moment for our entire community, because this is a journey in the name of family and roots. A journey that brings back the Holy Father in his homeland. And Piedmont is happy, honored and proud to be able to say welcome home to Pope Francis". These are the words of the president of the Region Alberto Cirio with the vice president Fabio Carosso and the councilor Marco Gabusi. The latter added: “The coming of the Holy Father is an extraordinary event that has put a lot of energy into the field and has involved many volunteers. In Asti alone, over 300 Civil Protection volunteers will be on duty. A special thanks also goes to them, who together with all the associations and public safety have given fundamental support to make this moment possible and give us great emotion".

(Photo Ansa)