(May 23, 2013) Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of El Salvador,
Carlos Funes Cartagena in audience Thursday morning in the Vatican, said a communiqué
issued by the Holy See’s press office. Later, the President met Vatican Secretary
of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary
for Relations with States. The communiqué said during the cordial talks, satisfaction
was expressed for the good relations existing between the Holy See and the State of
El Salvador. Appreciation was also expressed for the contribution that the Church
offers for reconciliation and the consolidation of peace, as well as in the areas
of charity, education, the eradication of poverty and organized crime. The talks
also touched on some ethical issues such as the defence of human life, marriage and
the family, said the communiqué of the Holy See’s Press Office. They also talked
about Archbishop Oscar, former Archbishop of San Salvador, and the importance of
his testimony for the entire nation. Salvadoran President gifted the Pope an ornate
reliquary holding a piece of the vestment Archbishop Romero was wearing when he was
shot. The reliquary, with the fragment of the blood-stained garment, read: "Oscar
Romero, spiritual guide of Salvador". Archbishop Romero was shot dead on March
24, 1980, as he celebrated mass in a hospital chapel. He had often denounced repression
and poverty in his weekly homilies.