Pope Francis received the President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, in the Apostolic Palace. The president expressed his gratitude for the first Paraguayan cardinal.
-I want to thank you for the honor of having a Paraguayan Cardinal.
The couple joked with Pope Francis about his 'addiction' to the chipa—a traditional Paraguayan pastry made with cassava starch and cheese.
-It's a bad habit. When I was working in a lab, there were many Paraguayans. That's where I got to know chipa and that's when...
-You fell in love.
-I fell in love.
Pope Francis received several Paraguayan products, including a leather thermos, mate, and a drinking straw—all made by local artisans.
The Pope gave the president a ceramic tile made in the Vatican workshops and some of his writings. The President confessed that his son keeps a letter signed by the Pope.
-Holiness, Maurizio had his letter framed.
The president also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and gave him a carving of the Virgin of Caacupé.
-Look how beautiful!
-We carved it.
-The Paraguayan people are very devoted to her.
-Very, very devoted.
After their meetings, the group visited the Vatican Gardens and left flowers at an image of Our Lady of the Miracles of Caacupé. They also prayed at the tombs of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
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TR: KG
