This letter was sent to us by His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, the President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State in response to Anson’s. It is the first letter received after re-starting the project. I had to explain to Anson what the Vatican was and is. We could only guess what news he had heard while at the hospital – it could be the recent elections in Italy, or perhaps the terrible happenings in Ukraine – both of which the Vatican has spoken out against. His is an uplifting message of hope through prayer and service to a higher good. It was an unexpected perspective Anson appreciated.
Here’s a rough translation
I want to thank you for your words and, above all, for your closeness, friendship, and prayers. I pray the Lord to grant me the grace to deeply understand the meaning of the cardinalate, as a compromise of fidelity, pastoral service, and a joyful call to martyrdom.
A new phase of service begins now for me. When I heard the news on television, during the Regina Caeli, while I was hospitalized at the Gemelli hospital, I felt a strong nervousness and, perhaps, a little discomfort. Today, on the contrary, I feel a great interior peace, the fruit of the Father’s love, experiencing my poverty more than ever. This is the lesson I learned from the life and example of Cardinal Pironio.
The cardinalate is not dignity, but rather a stronger commitment of service to the universal Church and of closer collaboration every day with the Successor of Peter, Pope Francis. This obviously honors me and, at the same time, frightens me and I ask, therefore, my friends and brothers to support me with prayer, because, yes, I strongly need this.
Um cordial saludo y mi bendición