Pope receives Salvadoran President

(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.