New Vatican Secretary of State sends first message on Pope’s behalf to Australia

October 21, 2013 - The new Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, has sent his first message on behalf of Pope Francis, expressing the Holy Father’s solidarity and closeness with the people in Australia hit by devastating bush fires. “The Holy Father prays for those who have lost their lives, homes and jobs and for firefighters battling the fires,” Archbishop Parolin wrote in a message to the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. A state of emergency has been declared in New South Wales as raging bushfires have already destroyed more than 200 homes. Archhbishop Parolin took office after Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone retired on Oct. 15. (Source: Vatican)