The papal gesture was made public in Argentina through a letter sent by the substitute of the State Secretariat, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, to Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, president of the Argentine episcopal conference.
The letter said: «With this gesture of pastoral charity, His Holiness wishes to be personally united to the numerous efforts already being made by the pastors of Argentina, as well as other groups and persons particularly sensitive to the fraternity born of the evangelical spirit, while at the same time encouraging them to foster an attitude of solidarity, generosity and responsibility in all citizens, which will safeguard the need for social harmony and the satisfaction of the urgent needs of the whole population.»
