Rome: Archbishop Bernard Moras meets Pope Francis

Mangalore Today News Network

Rome, March 26, 2014: Bangalore Archdiocese’s Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras, greeted His Holiness Pope Francis at a private audience this morning seeking the Holy Father’s Apostolic Blessing for the people of Karnataka. The Archbishop presented the Pope with a fragrant sandalwood carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary and garlanded His Holiness with a uniquely scented garland made of sandal wood and cardamom both of which are handicraft products from Bangalore.

 

 

 

 

Archbishop Moras called on Pope Benedict

Pope Francis received Archbishop Moras very warmly and has gladly imparted his Apostolic blessings to the people of Karnataka, and in a special way to the people of Bangalore particularly to the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church His Eminence George Cardinal Alencherry was present during the audience and Archdiocesan priests Fr Christopher Vimalraj and Cyril Victor accompanied Archbishop Moras to greet the Holy Father.

Archbishop Moras is on an official visit to Rome and is accommodated at Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis resides. Archbishop Moras, therefore, dines in the same refectory with the Holy Father and celebrates Mass with the Holy Father in the same Chapel. As a consulter and member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, Archbishop Moras is invited as a delegate to the XVIII International Conference organised by the Council focusing this year on the theme of ’Care for the Elderly with Neurodegenerative Diseases.’

The World Health Organization’s Director for aging Dr John Beard presenting epidemiological data has shown that over 36 million people in the world suffer from dementia. Professor of Palliative Medicine and Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom, Baroness Ilora Gillian Finlay spoke of the need for early detection and holistic approach directed towards bio-socio-psycho-spiritual aspects of the patient care. The Director of the Catholic Hospital Association of India, Fr Tomi Thomas and Dr. Thomas Mathew, Professor of Neurology, St. John’s Medical Academy are among 750 participants from 54 countries.