Visiting family is a common practice for most people – but it may be a little different for some. Let Pope Francis say so, who traveled this Saturday to Asti, in the Piedmont region, to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of his cousins and “to meet her relatives on a private visit”.
It should be noted that the parents of the current Pope and his paternal grandparents lived in this area and some relatives are still there, whom Francis has not visited since his election.
It was shortly after noon when the helicopter landed at Portacomaro Stazione. From there, the Pope went to Portacomaro Visit Cousin Carla Rebezzanawho just a few days ago turned 90 years old.
From look at the pictures Forget for a moment that the Pope is there. At the door of the house, Carla welcomes her cousin, Jorge. Then they head inside: the table is set and lunch, typical of the area, is ready.
The visit recalls the past times. Bergoglio used to stay at his cousin’s house when he studied theology and had to go to Germany or when he needed to go to Rome, and he is already Cardinal of Buenos Aires, he says Radio Renascença🇧🇷 Now life in the Vatican is different, but the phone rings once a month so that ties are not severed.
“When George called me two months ago to tell me he was coming here to celebrate my birthday, I got emotional and told him my heart was jumping. He replied with his usual sarcasm: ‘Look if you win don’t die till then.'” And we just laughed,” Carla recalls.
After this first meeting, Pope Francis also visited the local home and met other members of the family in the locality of Tigliole.
If today were more special, more people would see the Pope tomorrow. Francisco presides over the Blessed Sacrament in Asti Cathedral, remembering the land from which his parents left for Argentina.
