Pope sends greetings to Marcos, Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — A “close consonance” between the Philippines and the Vatican was highlighted by President Marcos yesterday during the courtesy call of the Vatican’s top diplomat at Malacañang.

Pope Francis also sent his greetings, more than nine years after visiting the country.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, said the pope appreciates Filipinos for their amazing work and contribution to the Catholic Church not only in the Philippines but around the world.

Marcos thanked Gallagher for visiting the Philippines.

Gallagher is on a five-day visit to the Philippines.

During the courtesy call, he was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila Monsignor Giuseppe Trentadue and Secretariat of the State of the Holy See Monsignor Giuseppe Siviero.

Gallagher earlier met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

He is scheduled to visit Malaybalay, Bukidnon to join the July 3 plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

On July 4, he will celebrate mass with bishops at the Abbey of the Transfiguration and deliver a lecture at the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs the following day. — Pia Lee-Brago