Luanda - The Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, on Wednesday highlighted the role of Apostolic Nuncio Dom Giovanni Gaspari in strengthening relations of cooperation and friendship between the Angolan parliament and the Vatican for the benefit of all Angolans.
In a message addressed to the Apostolic Nuncio, who bade farewell to the Catholic community in a religious ceremony at the Church of the Holy Family in Luanda, Carolina Cerqueira highlighted the contribution of Dom Giovanni Gaspari through his messages of encouragement for continued action in favour of peace, justice and prosperity in Angola.
"His humility and demonstration of faith dedicated to the most vulnerable populations, especially during the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic, left indelible marks of hope, comfort and faith on the Angolan people", emphasised the leader of the Angolan parliament.
Carolina Cerqueira congratulated Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, wishing him all the best in his new role as representative of the Holy See in South Korea and Mongolia.
The farewell Mass was attended by the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, the Speaker of the Parliament, Carolina Cerqueira, MP´s, the diplomatic corps, bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST) and Catholics believers from the Luanda Diocese.
Giovanni Gaspari was born in Abruzzo, Italy, and has been a priest since 1987. He has a degree in canon law, as well as in Moral Theology.
He joined the Holy See's diplomatic service in 2001 and has already carried out missions in Iran, Albania, Mexico, Lithuania and then worked for a period in the Secretariat of State, specifically in the State Affairs Section.
In September 2020, Pope Francis sent him as nuncio to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, and thus ordained to the title of archbishop.
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