The new German Ambassador to the Holy See, Bernhard Erhard Kotsch, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to present his credentials.
With him, Ambassador Kotsch brought his wife and three children.
As a gift, Pope Francis gave the new ambassador a book of photos from his Statio Orbis last March, during which he offered a blessing to the world in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic before an empty and rainswept St. Peter's Square.
“The Statio Orbis.”
The Pope then thanked the ambassador's family for supporting him in his new role, and gave them a blessing.
“Thank you for this gesture of accompanying the ambassador, the family, all of you. Thank you so much. I offer my blessing to you all, and to all of the family. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The two then proceeded into the next room for a private meeting to discuss relations between Germany and the Holy See.
JM
