Pope Benedict XVI in Australia: Explanations on Aborigines by Father Lombardi

(July 14, 2008) "The presence of the Aborigines in events of the papal visit to Australia is an important fact, said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi. He was addressing the Press on the Arrival of the Papal Delegation to Australia on the occasion of the World Youth Day. He added that a group of Aborigines will represent the natives Australia to the Solemn Mass of July 20 with which Pope Benedict XVI will conclude 'the World Youth Day'. In addition, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State, Fr Lombardi announced, will be visiting a village of Aborigines in Australia. He will be accompanied by other members of the Papal delegation. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has already in February made the official apology on behalf of the Government for injustices suffered in the past and denounced the events, like “the Stolen Generation” occurred between 1910 and 1970. Even the Pope will address the issue of aboriginal people in his speeches. Pope Benedict XVI has already talked about the suffering of Aborigines in his letter of 2006 on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the visit by John Paul II in Australia, said Fr Lombardi. His words are to encourage all Australians to deal with compassion and determination to bring about the healing. He also mentioned that the Pope was given the copy of the "Aboriginal Madonna", the Virgin venerated by Aboriginal populations as the first gift, delivered at Darwin in north of the country, even as he just landed in Australia.