Archbishop of Buenos Aires: Argentina is waiting for Francis, its shepherd

Catarina Agorilios – Vatican City

Monsignor Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, explains the importance of canonizing Blessed María Antonia de San José de Paz y Figueroa – known as Mama Antola. A few days before the canonization, on Sunday, February 11, he gave an interview to Vatican News Renato Martinez.

The first saint in Argentina

Monsignor García Cuerva says this first saint from Argentina is a gift to the country that is currently going through what he calls a very bad time due to inflation and poverty. He expressed his hope that the Pope would make an apostolic trip in the country, something the Pope spoke about often in various interviews. The Archbishop emphasized that this would be a great joy for the people.

Inspiration

Regarding the faith of the Argentine people, he says that Mama Antola challenges them as a community and church not only to put into practice the ideals to which she bore witness at the massacres, but to put them into practice:

“We need to rethink as a church when Pope Francis speaks and writes about creativity and boldness Gospel of joy To proclaim the Gospel without fear and without delay. I believe that Mama Antola embodied this missionary spirit. That is why I say that her example must not only be on the altar – from Sunday she will become a saint – but must also inspire us Argentines.”