The President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, acknowledged on behalf of the Venezuelan people, the work of the Apostolic Nuncio Aldo Giordano, recognizing in his role as representative of the Vatican to Venezuela, someone “who knows how to listen and has been a balancing factor in the diplomatic corps in the Homeland, a factor of seriousness, professionalism and respect for sovereignty”.
In his words, the Head of State highlighted the accompaniment of the Apostolic Nuncio, Aldo Giordano, during the dialogue held in 2014 with representatives of the Venezuelan opposition, bringing at all meetings a message of harmony, dialogue and peace to the Venezuelan people:
“We recognize in you a man of word, of respect, a great representative of Pope Francis. Our recognition, and I speak on behalf of Venezuela, for the extraordinary work you have done to strengthen ties with the Holy Apostolic Church, it has been an extraordinary work”, said President Nicolás Maduro.
Nuncio Giordano served in Venezuela for seven years, during which time he was responsible in the nation for the beatification process of Doctor José Gregorio Hernández by the Holy See.
“You have been the Nuncio for the beatification of José Gregorio Hernández, an event for the reaffirmation of faith, life and our national being. We wish Monsignor Aldo Giordano luck in his new work as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, I know that he will have a lot of work as a special consultant on Venezuelan affairs”, emphasized Maduro at the ceremony held in the Simón Bolívar Hall of Miraflores Palace.
With Venezuela and José Gregorio in the heart:
For his part, Monsignor Aldo Giordano reiterated that during his work he tried to serve reconciliation, dialogue and diplomacy in favor of peace: “I have been fortunate to say goodbye to Venezuela with the beatification of José Gregorio Hernández, it remains in my heart. We have the grace of a friendship, we are diverse as countries and cultures but in 7 years I experienced friendship, I am pleased I am having served peace, the encounters remain in my heart”.
Giordano respectfully rejected a decoration awarded to him by the Venezuelan government for his diplomatic acts in the country: “I asked to renounce this decoration because the Pope tells us that our function is to help and not to seek something of honor, that our function is to serve the peace and reunion”.
At the end of the meeting, the Nuncio received from President Nicolás Maduro an image of the Virgen Del Valle (Virgin of the Valley) crafted by the hands of fishermen from eastern Venezuela.
Aldo Giordano was appointed Apostolic Nuncio for Venezuela in 2013. He was received by President Maduro for that same year, prior to this, the head of state traveled to Rome in June to meet with the Holy Father where they discussed the issue of the beatification of the Doctor of the Poor, a case that was filed in the Vatican for more than 70 years.
Giordano will assume new responsibilities as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, in addition to being Special Consultant on Venezuelan Affairs.
