During the Angelus, while reiterating his desire for world peace, Pope Francis revealed that he had left the Vatican again to visit a historic parish in Rome.
POPE FRANCIS
Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel. I see the flag of Israel. Today I saw it while coming from the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs. It is a call for peace.
The Pope had gone to that parish to pray before the remains of his confessor, Spanish Franciscan Manuel Blanco, who died at the age of 85.
POPE FRANCIS
The day before yesterday, Father Manuel Blanco, a Franciscan who for 44 years had lived in the church of the Holy Forty Martyrs and St. Paschal Bailon in Rome, died. He was a superior, a confessor, a man of counsel. In remembering him, I would like to recall many Franciscan confessors and preachers who have honored and honor the Church of Rome. Thanks to all of them.
On other occasions, the Pope has said that he went to confession once every two weeks. His confessor was this Franciscan.
JRB
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