Paul KeenanPontiff receives official invitation
The Pope has hinted at an official visit to the island nation of Sri Lanka in the near future. Last Saturday the Pontiff met with a Sri Lankan delegation led by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, during which an invitation was extended for Pope Francis to visit the island’s faithful. The Pope reportedly replied: “I welcome this invitation and I think the Lord will grant us the grace.”
Acknowledging recent conflicts which have scarred Sri Lanka, the Pope told the delegation: “Your homeland is called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, on account of its natural beauty and its shape. They say that the pearl is formed from the tears of the oyster. Unfortunately, many tears have been shed in recent years, on account of the internal conflict which caused so many victims and so much damage.”
Pope Francis entrusted the faithful of Sri Lanka to the intercession of Our Lady, for whom Sri Lankans hold a special devotion.