As a gift to the Catholic people of Guatemala, Central America, the Canary Islands and all the faithful who from different countries visit the tomb of the Holy Brother Pedro de San José de Betancur (1626-1667), a sculpture was unveiled in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo , southeast of Rome, Italy.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINEX), it is a marble work for the rest residence of the pontiffs. Through the Embassy of Guatemala to the Holy See, the Government of Guatemala participated in the unveiling of the sculpture.
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In this sense, the project is the result of a joint effort between MINEX and the Governatorate of the State of Vatican City.
Likewise, from the Metropolitan Archbishopric of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Guatemala and with the sponsorship of a family devoted to Santo Hermano Pedro de San José de Betancur.
The @GuatemalaGovernmentthrough the @guatesantasedeunveiled a sculpture of Brother Pedro de San José Betancurt (1626-1667) in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo, southeast of Rome, Italy. #Press release 🔗 pic.twitter.com/3SkXDbkutF
– MINEX Guatemala 🇬🇹 (@MinexGt) November 10, 2022
On the work of Santo Hermano Pedro
The work, created with marble by the international art workshop Pace & Sons, based in Rome, is the sculpture of the first saint in Central America to be placed in the well-known summer residence of the pontiffs.
For this reason, the image was blessed by Cardinal Fernando Vérguez Alzaga, president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.
In this regard, Cardinal Alzaga stressed that the works of Santo Hermano Pedro left a testimony of living faith that transcends borders.
Much loved in Guatemala
For his part, the Guatemalan ambassador to the Holy See, Alfredo Vásquez, on behalf of Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro, pointed out that the Spanish saint from the Canary Islands, canonized by Saint John Paul II in 2002, is very loved in Guatemala. .
This work of sacred art, which at the time began as a project, today becomes a reality, said the diplomat.
This beautiful sculpture is a reflection of a faithful portrait of Santo Hermano Pedro de San José de Betancur represented with propriety and accuracy, he added.
This is in correspondence with the official portrait in oil on canvas from the end of the 17th century or the beginning of the 18th century, the original of which is in the San Francisco Museum, City of Antigua Guatemala, he added.
According to MINEX, the painting presents Brother Pedro in full body. In this case, he dressed in the typical clothing of the Franciscan Tertiary Brothers of his time.
Under his left arm he wears a brown hat, and a folded piece of paper where he wrote down the prayers in suffrage for souls. Likewise, a rosary around the neck and a cord with knots tied around the waist, the ambassador highlighted.
In addition, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Government of Vatican City, participated in the ceremony. Also Monsignor Tulio Omar Pérez, auxiliary bishop of Guatemala City.
In this sense, Monsignor Pérez welcomed the arrival of the sculpture in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a place closely linked to the Pope.
Finally, the MINEX reported that the initiative endorses the commitment of the Government of Guatemala to strengthen relations with the world.
Sculpture of Santo Hermano Pedro unveiled in Italy as a gift to the Guatemalan Catholic people