The former private secretary of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vincenzo Turturro, was ordained a bishop in St. Peter's Basilica. The Cardinal celebrated the ceremony for Turturro, who has worked with Parolin since 2019.
Together with other cardinals, ambassadors and various authorities, Pope Francis was present. Some children approached him moments before the start of the Mass.
After five years as Parolin's secretary, Turturro will now serve as the Pope's representative in Paraguay. He was appointed nuncio to this Latin American country by Pope Francis in December. In his homily, the Secretary of State spoke of the significance of being at the head of a nunciature.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State of the Holy See
Nuncio means messenger, but every message you bring is characterized by the adjective apostolic. So it is not primarily a matter of things to do or not to do, to say or not to say, but an apostolate to live, a life to spend for the Church and the country in which you will be. There, you will never be a stranger, not only because of the sizeable presence of Catholics but especially because that people, like every people, is inhabited and loved by God.
The Cardinal also highlighted Turturro's qualities of discretion and dedication to his work that will help him in his new position in Paraguay.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State of the Holy See
You will do it in your own style: tiptoeing into a reality that you know how to anticipate and excel in. You will do it with the enthusiasm that characterizes your age and, at the same time, with the experience gained from serving the Holy See.
At the end of the Mass, the newly ordained bishop greeted his family—something Pope Francis also did at the end of the celebration.
CA
TR: KG
