Costa Rica’s new president Laura Fernández begins her term by entrusting her government to God and the Virgin, emphasizing faith in public life.
Newsroom (14/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Costa Rica’s newly inaugurated president, Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado, has begun her term with a striking public gesture: entrusting her administration to God and the Virgin of the Angels, the nation’s patron saint. The act, performed during a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels on May 9, underscored the prominent role that faith continues to play in the country’s public life.
Accompanied by members of her cabinet, Fernández fulfilled what she described as a personal promise. During the ceremony, she placed her presidential sash at the feet of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her intention to place the nation’s leadership under divine guidance and protection.
A Public Expression of Faith
The Mass was presided over by Bishop Javier Román of Limón, president of the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, who used the occasion to stress the importance of faith beyond the private sphere. In his homily, he emphasized that religious belief should not be confined to individual practice but expressed openly, particularly by those entrusted with public responsibility.
According to Bishop Román, Fernández’s decision to begin her presidency with a religious ceremony represents a meaningful statement at a time when many tend to relegate religion to personal life. Her public profession of faith, he suggested, serves as a reminder of faith’s enduring role as a moral foundation in governance.
Faith as a Guide for Leadership
The bishop also highlighted the limits of human capacity in addressing complex national challenges, noting that public office requires more than personal effort or political strategy. He urged prayers for the new administration, asking that its leaders be granted strength, serenity, and wisdom.
Román pointed to faith as a guiding principle for ethical leadership, emphasizing values such as honesty, respect for human life, and integrity in public service. He invoked Saint Thomas More as a model of moral courage and consistency, drawing a parallel between spiritual conviction and responsible governance.
A President Defined by Belief
Fernández, who identifies as Catholic and pro-life, has consistently framed her political outlook around her religious convictions. In her first press conference following her electoral victory on February 2, she explicitly acknowledged the role of faith in her leadership.
“I place my trust in God, who I know will accompany us every day and every minute of the next government,” she said, while thanking both God and the Costa Rican people for their support.
Her declaration signals an administration that may lean on faith-inspired principles in addressing policy and governance, further reinforcing the significance of her inaugural act of entrustment.
A Historic and Human Dimension
Fernández’s presidency also carries historical significance: she becomes the second woman in Costa Rican history to assume the nation’s highest office. Bishop Román highlighted this milestone during the Mass, praising the “feminine sensitivity and humanity” she brings to leadership.
This dual identity — as both a female leader and a publicly devout Catholic — adds a distinct dimension to her presidency, blending tradition with a milestone of social progress.
Addressing National Challenges
The ceremony also reflected broader concerns about Costa Rica’s current social climate. Bishop Román spoke candidly about rising issues such as violence, drug trafficking, insecurity, and increasing homicide rates, describing a society in which many families live in fear.
He drew particular attention to young people, who face growing challenges and temptations, including despair. In this context, he called upon the Holy Spirit to guide the nation’s leaders in making decisions that serve the common good and foster hope.
A Call for Unity and Hope
The Mass concluded with a collective appeal for national unity, as well as a commitment by the Church to continue praying for both the president and the country. Bishop Román formally entrusted Costa Rica’s future to the Virgin of the Angels, asking for her guidance and protection over the new government.
His final message emphasized enduring values — truth, justice, and hope — as essential pillars for the nation’s path forward.
Fernández’s inauguration has thus been marked not only by a transition of political power, but by a profound symbolic gesture. By openly placing her administration under divine care, she has brought faith to the forefront of Costa Rica’s public life, signaling how spiritual conviction may shape her leadership in the years ahead.
- Raju Hasmuh with files from Infocatholica
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