In a pastoral letter to the faithful of the country, the Bishops Conference of Paraguay officially announced Pope Francis’ visit, calling him a «messenger of joy and peace.
According to news blog Il Sismografo, the letter explained that the Pope’s visit will most likely take place in July, during his Apostolic Trip to Latin America.
Pope Francis confirmed his visit to Latin America during a press conference on his return flight from Manila in January. “The three Latin American countries that are foreseen for this year are: Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay,” the Pope said to journalists.
The statement also said that the Pope will the precise date of his eighth international pilgrimage and his second to Latin America in the coming days.
For the Paraguayan bishops, the Holy Father’s presence will be that «of a missionary» who wishes to accompany the people.
<p>The visit, the letter states, «encourages us in the hope of fostering a profound interior transformation, which is only possible through an authentic conversion a Christ.»
Concluding their statement, the Paraguayan Bishop called on the faithful to «feel the transformative effect of the Holy Father’s apostolic visit», as well as to prepare themselves through prayer and intensifying «a simple, personal and familiar spirituality» so that the presence of the Bishop of Rome will result in abundant blessings for the people.