Andina

Peru President notes concerted efforts to get venue ready for papal mass

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency

12:28 | Lima, Jan. 17.

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski noted institutions' concerted efforts to get Las Palmas Air Base ready for Sunday's papal mass.

Joined by Defense Minister Jorge Kisic, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, the Head of the Papal Visit Organization Committee in Peru Alfonso Grados, and Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli, the statesman said this will be the Pope's last activity in Peru before returning to Rome.

"Everyone involved has done a great job with the preparation: the Peruvian Air Force —which operates the base— the Church, the municipality, and Coordinator Alfonso Grados. We also thank the Cardinal [Juan Luis Cipriani] for the tremendous efforts," he stated.

Likewise, he said some 1,200,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis' mass and noted the preparation of a contingency plan to receive other 300,000, bringing in up to 1.5 million attendees in total. 

"We will hear the Pope's message in person, but I think it will be about peace, dialogue, and understanding among people," he was quoted as saying.
 
As is known, the Supreme Pontiff is currently in Chile as part of his South American tour. 

After that, he will fly to Peru to visit cities Lima, Puerto Maldonado, and Trujillo on January 18-21.

His arrival is slated for Thursday at 5:20 PM (local time) at Air Group N°8, where he will be welcomed by President Kuczynski. 


(END) JCC/CCR/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/17/2018