Vatican, Greek-Catholic priest: “Surprised by strength Pope in Slovakia”

During my visit to Slovakia “I had the impression that Pope Francis was well. On that day when he celebrated the Byzantine liturgy in Presov, which is tiring, he had two other important meetings, one with the Roma community and with young people. Who was he around him he was quite surprised that a man of his age had done this. It made a positive impression on me. ” This was stated to Adnkronos by Father Marko Durlak, a Greek-Catholic priest of Presov, about the words spoken by Pope Francis during a private meeting in Bratislava with the Jesuits. On that occasion, Bergoglio returned to his health after colon surgery in July, saying I’m “still alive. Although some wanted me dead. I know that there have even been meetings between prelates, who thought that the Pope was more serious than what was said “. “I can say as an attentive observer of all the stops he made, both in Bratislava and in Presov, which took place in an atmosphere of great tranquility and peace, one really felt an atmosphere of prayer”, continues the priest, who was the master of ceremonies responsible for the Byzantine liturgy in Presov, a city in eastern Slovakia where the seat of the Greek-Catholic metropolitan is located. “Personally, I was able to see a man who is a modern-day Peter who arrives among the communities of the faithful to encourage them , to give them hope “, adds Father Marko, according to whom Pope Francis” did not come only as head of a small state, but also as bishop of Rome and he himself said during the general audience that he lived the journey as a real pilgrimage, like a return to the roots “. The priest also underlines” the religious significance “behind the choice of Pope Francis to celebrate the liturgy in the Byzantine rite. “It was a great and visible sign of the Church’s richness – he concludes – Many think that the Catholic Church is only the Latin one, but instead this is only part of it. There are many other rites such as the Chaldean, Byzantine and Armenian ones”.