Mrs. Asuncion will receive Pope Francis in her humble home in Bañado Norte, a neighborhood of the Paraguayan capital where low income people live, who hold on firmly to their Christian faith despite their sufferings. This resident was chosen by her neighbors along with her niece, who lives in the house next door. The Holy Father will share a traditional Paraguayan meal with them on Sunday, July 12th.
Mrs. Asuncion, as she is known, said in the Guarani language: “Ndaikuai mbaerepa la Papa oguaheta che rogape, tuichaiterei mbae, tuichaiterei nandejara che rovasa” (I don’t know why the Pope chose me; it’s a great blessing and something very great),” she told ZENIT through interpreter Carlos Caceres Ferreira, a member of the Central Communications and Press Team of the papal visit.
Caceres Ferreira also said that the children of Bañado Norte painted and decorated the walls on the way to the Chapel of St. John with recycled materials. The Pope will walk this path on Sunday and share moments with the faithful.
This visit of the Holy Father is not by chance.In 2013 Cardinal Claudio Hummes already visited the same place, so “we believe that his personal friend suggested the visit to this place,” explained Caceres Ferreira, adding that “we know, however, that the Jesuits of Paraguay work very intensely in these neighborhoods, so it could have been a suggestion of theirs.”
