MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pope Francis sad with Roussesff's removal and invites to pray for social justice in Brazil

Francis with then president Rousseff during one of the several times they met

Pope Francis called for people to pray to the Aparecida Virgin to protect “all of Brazil and all of the Brazilian people in this very sad moment”, in reference to the removal of Dilma Rousseff as president and her replacement by vice-president and interim president Michel Temer, which occurred last week.

 The Argentine born pope made the statement during the unveiling of a bronze statue dedicated to Brazil's patron virgin in the Vatican gardens, and explained he was not sure if he would be able to visit Brazil in 2017 as he had promised back in 2013 when the attended the World Youth Day.

“In 2013 I promised I would return next year. I don't know if it will be possible, but at least I will have Virgin Aparecida here, much closer”, explained Francis.

The pope also invited to pray so that the Aparecida Virgin protects the poorest, the discarded, the abandoned elderly, the street children and all those who fall in the hands of all kind of exploiters, and to save Brazil's people with social justice and the love of Jesus Christ.

Francis recalled that the image of the Aparecida Virgin was found by some poor workers and he hoped that now it could be found “by all Brazilians, and particularly by those who need jobs, education and are deprived of their dignity”.

The initiative to donate an image of the Aparecida Virgin and adorn the Vatican gardens was from the Brazilian embassy in the Vatican and the Aparecida Archdioceses.

Brazil is currently undergoing social unrest in some of the more politically active cities, with demonstrations, protests and even attacks on shops and banks, demanding the removal of president Temer. These actions have been repealed by riot police with tear gases.