(April 11, 2009) Some 500 Easter eggs arrived on Holy Saturday morning at the Church
of St. Francis in Pettino in central Italy’s Abruzzo region, severely hit by violent
earthquake on Monday. The chocolate eggs were from the Vatican - Pope Benedict XVI
Easter gifts for the children of the region hit by the disaster. Vatican’s gendarmes
personally delivered hundreds of boxes to Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari of Aquila.
“We are grateful to the Pope for his great closeness to us in this dramatic moment,”
said the archbishop, particularly moved by the Pope’s gesture. “This is also a sign
of solidarity with our children,” he added. Pope Benedict on Wednesday said he
would pay the people a visit, but did not specify when. Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico
Lombardi indicatted it would be some time after Easter. Two Vatican gendarmes
in a huge truck began distributing the Easter eggs immediately in Pettino, some 16
kms. from L’Aquila, the city worst affected by the natural disaster. An collection
centre for aid has been set by Caritas in Pettino. Archbishop Molinari accompanied
the Vatican gendarmes for the initial distribution of the Pope’s Easter eggs to children.