STATUES THOWN IN TIBER RECOVERED BY ITALIAN POLICE
Following is a communique from the Holy See Press Office with a transcription of words pronounced off the cuff by Pope Francis this afternoon during the 15th General Congregation at the end of the prayer:
“Good afternoon, I would like to say a word about the statues of the pachamama that were removed from the Traspontina church which were there without idolatrous intentions and were thrown to the Tiber. First of all this happened in Rome and as a bishop of the diocese I ask forgiveness from the people who have been offended by this gesture.
I want to announce that the statues, which have created so much media hype, have been found in the Tiber. The statues are not damaged. The commander of the Italian carabinieri asked that he be informed of this news before it became public. At the moment the news is confidential and the statues are kept in the office of the Italian carabinieri commander.
The carabinieri commander will be happy to follow up on any indication regarding how the news is published and about other initiatives in this regard, for example, “the display of the statues during the closing Mass of the Synod.” We will see. I delegate the Secretary of State to respond to this. This is good news, thanks.
Joan's Rome 