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Nuncio to Romania: Pope John Paul I is an example of reconciliation
On August 30, the Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova celebrated Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest and the Vatican Foundation “John Paul I” donated an icon and a relic of Blessed Albino Luciani to this church known as the “Italian Church.”
By Adrian Dancă
On August 26, the Church marks the liturgical memorial of Blessed Albino Luciani – elected Pope John Paul I in 1978. A few days later on August 30, Archbishop Giampiero Gloder, Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, celebrated a Mass in honor of the Pope at the parish of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest, Romania.
For the occasion, the Vatican Foundation presented the parish, known as the “Italian Church,” with an icon and a relic of Blessed Luciani. The Romanian association “Pope Luciani” also took part in the celebration.
Hundreds attended the Mass, which was concelebrated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, Archbishop Aurel Percă; Archbishop Emeritus Ioan Robu; the parish priests of the two communities of the “Italian Church,” Father Daniel Bulai and Father Marius Bereșoaie; and other priests from across the country.
Mass celebrated at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest
A witness to reconciliation
In his homily, Archbishop Giampiero Gloder, who is of Venetian origin, recalled the emotion surrounding the evening of Pope John Paul I’s election, highlighting three themes from his general audiences: love, faith, and hope.
“Blessed Pope John Paul I,” he emphasized, “had a great heart, capable of offering attention, a smile, and a gesture of love to every person he encountered, with a generous openness toward others, especially toward that portion of the People of God that the Lord had entrusted to him.”
“In a world like ours,” the archbishop continued, “where personal interests, the thirst for power and domination, conflict and division seem to characterize relationships between individuals and between states, the witness of the concrete love of Blessed John Paul I is also an encouragement for us to always be instruments of reconciliation, communion, and love.”
Archbishop Giampiero Gloder, Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, celebrated the Mass
A gift to the Italian Church
The delegation of the Vatican Foundation “John Paul I” included Vice President Stefania Falasca, postulator of the cause for the canonization of Blessed Luciani; Lina Petri, a member of the Foundation and the Pope’s niece; and Gloria Concordia, a collaborator of the Vatican Foundation.
Among those present were also the Italian Ambassador to Romania, Laura Aghilarre; the president of Catholic Action in Romania, Codruța Fernea; representatives of various lay associations of the Archdiocese of Bucharest; and the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Bucharest, Roberto Musneci. The Romanian association “Pope Luciani” was represented by its president, Cristina Grigore, and its secretary, Daniel-Marius Filip.
The icon of Blessed John Paul I, placed on the altar and blessed by Apostolic Nuncio Gloder, will remain on display throughout the week in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer and will then be placed next to the icon of Saint John Paul II.
The Vatican Foundation “John Paul I” has donated an icon and a relic of Blessed Albino Luciani to the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, Stefania Falasca presented the parish priest of the Italian Church with an ex indumentis relic of Blessed John Paul I, together with the decree certifying its authenticity.
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