Chile Donating Copper for Dome of St. Peter´s

ROME, MAR. 7, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II has sent a message to Chilean President Ricardo Lagos thanking him for his country´s special donation: tons of copper that will line the exterior of the dome of St. Peter´s Basilica.

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In his letter, the Holy Father accepts the offer of the state enterprise, Chilean Copper Corporation, saying: «I wish to express to Mr. President my sincere appreciation for this eloquent gesture and the noble sentiments that motivated him to make such a donation.»

The Holy Father promises to pray to God the Father, to illuminate the country so that it can build «a future ever richer in harmony and hope.»

When Chile´s Foreign Affairs Minister Soledad Alvear was in Rome last month for the consistory, she said that Chilean Copper technicians would conduct the studies to determine how much copper is needed for the dome.

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ZENIT Staff

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