The golden rose is a traditional gift given exclusively by Pontiffs, symbolizing and expressing reverence for Our Lady.
Newsroom (September 19, 2021, 1:44 PM, Gaudium Press) On the last day of his 34th International Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis presented the Archbishop of Bratislava, Slovakia, with a chalice and the National Shrine of Šaštín with a golden rose, which was placed at the feet of the image of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Golden rose: a traditional Papal gift
The golden rose is a traditional gift given exclusively by Pontiffs, symbolizing and expressing reverence for Our Lady. The gifts were given by the Holy Father on September 15, after a Eucharistic celebration presided by the Pontiff on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Patroness of Slovakia.
60,000 people from Slovakia attended the Pope’s farewell Mass
Around 60 thousand faithful attended the farewell Mass. At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Stanislav Zvolensky, Archbishop of Bratislava, dedicated a greeting of gratitude to the Pope on behalf of the whole Slovakian Church.
Pope Francis’ Thanks to the People of Slovakia
Pope Francis also expressed his gratitude to the people of Slovakia through the following words, “The time has come for me to bid farewell to your country. In this Eucharist, I gave thanks to God for having granted me the grace to come to be with you and conclude my pilgrimage in the devoted embrace of your people, celebrating together the great religious and national feast of the Patroness, Our Lady of Sorrows.” (EPC)
Compiled by Sarah Gangl
