Pope Francis in Umbria, the surprise visit to Spello, then the meeting in Assisi

Spello (Perugia), October 3, 2020 – The Pope is in Umbria. The visit to Assisi is important because it is here that the Pope signs the new encyclical “All Brothers.” It was 206 years that a Pope did not sign an encyclical outside of Rome. First it was a surprise: in the morning the Pontiff visited Spello, where he went to the monastery of the Poor Clares, which he had already visited in the past. It is the Pope’s first trip outside of Rome after closing.

The signing of the encyclical

After Mass, with the applause of those present, there was the signature of the encyclical on the altar. A very important moment. The encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” is finally promulgated. A simple ceremony, in the Franciscan style, for the signing of the encyclical. Which will be released on Sunday after the Angelus.

Mass in the crypt of the basilica

Pope Francis descended into the crypt of the Lower Basilica of San Francisco, in Assisi, where, on the tomb of the saint, he celebrates Mass and at the end he will sign his third encyclical, the “All Brothers.” The Pontiff, before beginning the liturgy, bowed before the saint’s tomb, remained in prayer for a few moments and kissed on the altar. In the crypt, due to anti-Coronavirus restrictions, they are present only about twenty peopleincluding cardinal Agostino Vallini, pontifical delegate for the Franciscan basilicas of Assisi, Mons. Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, the custodian of the Sacred Convent, friars, nuns and some lay people.

Archbishop Galantino: “Symbolic Company”

In Assisi, the Pope signs the encyclical “All Brothers”. A signature “symbolic, in simplicity, to tear down the many superstructures to which too much energy is devoted even in the Church.” This is the interpretation of Mons. Nunzio Galantino, president of APSA, speaking with TvDuemila. “In a world so technical,” Galantino observed, “we have lost our taste for relationships and symbols. Symbols are confronted by those who do not cultivate suspicion.”

Tesei: “deep gratitude”

“It is with great pleasure and deep gratitude for his visit that we welcome the Holy Father to Umbria. Pope Bergoglio returns to Assisi and does so on the eve of the anniversary of San Francisco, thus launching, once again, a message of great attention to the Franciscan spirit, in the direction of humility and respect for ‘creation’“This is what the president of the Umbria Region says, Donatella Tesei, on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Assisi. “In this place recognized everywhere as a place of Peace – continued Tesei – the Holy Father signs his third encyclical, ‘All the brothers’, taking up the teachings that Francis gave to the world. An encyclical of great importance that is considered the utmost seven years of papacy.

The surprise at Spello

Upon his arrival in Spello, Pope Francis was received by a small group of faithful of the place outside the monastery that hailed him. His car, however, immediately entered in the inner courtyard of the structure and when the pontiff came down he greeted them. Waiting for Pope Francis, the Poor Clares who protected him from the rain with white umbrellas.

The atmosphere in Assisi

Meanwhile “Welcome back Holy Father Francis: Assisi welcomes with joy the encyclical Brothers All “is the sign at the entrance to Assisi that welcomes the faithful (few because of the Covidio and the rain) for the fourth visit of Pope Francis to the city of Poverello.

The encyclical

In Assisi, the Pontiff signs his third encyclical, entitled “All brothers”, for the first time in history outside the Vatican territory. The “balloon” will not be placed on the desk table. from your personal librarybut on the rock, the stone altar at the foot of the tomb of San Francisco, in the crypt under the Lower Basilica of Assisi.

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