President-elect presents credentials to Pope Francis

A bust of Ozanam was gifted to the Pontiff

Brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez was this week in Rome to present his credentials to Pope Francis in his capacity as President General-elect. The cordial meeting took place yesterday, September 6, in St. Peter’s Square, after the traditional Catechesis on “Wednesday’s Audience”.

On the occasion, the President-elect said to the Pontiff: “Your Holiness, my name is Juan Manuel, I am the 17th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, elected last June 13. I humbly give you this image of Frederick Ozanam, in the hope of his forthcoming sanctification”.

In response, Pope Francis said: “Oh, I am very happy. Best wishes and blessings. I greet all the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Persevere in the canonization of Ozanam”.

The new President General was accompanied by brothers Antonio Gianfico and Sebastián Gramajo, as well as Father Giuseppe Guerra, CM, postulator of Ozanam’s cause for canonization.

Next Saturday, in the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, brother Renato Lima will lead the inauguration ceremony of brother Juan Manuel.

Ecclesiastical authorities and Vincentians from various parts of the world have already confirmed their attendance. Ozanam TV will broadcast everything live on Facebook in four languages.