12:29 | Trujillo (La Libertad region), Jan. 20.
Pope Francis on Saturday morning called on the Virgen de la Puerta (Our Lady of the Gate) during the open-air mass at Huanchaco Beach Esplanade and encouraged attendees to sing a prayer in her honor.
"Would you like to sing it?" he asked before reciting the first verse of the song.
"Our Lady of the Gate, grant me your blessing. Our Lady of the Gate, give us peace and much love," he said.
The
attendees got excited to sing a song with Pope Francis during the religious service.
It must be noted the virgin's image was brought from Otuzco to meet the Supreme Pontiff at the
mass.
During the homily, Francis said, "with Jesus, the soul of this town of Trujillo can continue to be called the city of eternal spring, because, with him, everything is an opportunity for hope."
"At this moment in history, Peruvians do not have the right to allow hope to be stolen," he said, prompting applause from the crowd.
The event was part of Pope Francis' pastoral activities for the third day of his visit to Peru.
(END) SMA/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/20/2018