Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga bestowed with the Order of the Quetzal of Guatemala

A sign of friendship between the Vatican and Guatemala

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and President of the Governorate, has been awarded with the highest national honour of Guatemala, the Order of the Quetzal. The award ceremony was held on Thursday morning, 20 June, in the Palace of the Governorate. Guatemalan Minister, Ambassador Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado, and Alfredo Vásquez Rivera, Ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See, attended the ceremony as representatives of the Guatemalan government.

The following is the address of the Cardinal on the occasion.

Hon. Minister, Ambassador Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado,

Dear Mr. Alfredo Vásquez Rivera, Ambassador to the Holy See

Distinguished Authorities,

I am deeply pleased to welcome you to the Governorate of Vatican City State, close to the Basilica in which the mortal remains of the Apostle Peter lie, and to the See of his Successor, Pope Francis.
 

The occasion is even more pleasing as it is an opportunity to thank you, and through you, to thank the President of the Republic for conferring the highest honour of your country on me: the Order of the Quetzal.

This gesture strengthens relations between Vatican City State and Guatemala, marked by a profound friendship and mutual esteem.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey to the President, the government and to all the people of Guatemala, my solidarity, affection and prayers for the victims and those affected by the recent floods in the country.

Guatemalans are courageous and they will quickly recover from the climate disasters. They distinguish themselves for their profound faith and Marian devotion. In 1651, Our lady of the Rosary was proclaimed Patron of the Republic of Guatemala. Each year, the icon of the Virgin of the Rosary is venerated by millions of people, who come to visit her, especially in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in the centre of the city.

This Marian devotion has also reached us. Indeed, Guatemala has been symbolically present in the Vatican as of 2018, when a mosaic portraying Our Lady of the Rosary, donated by the Republic of Guatemala, was placed in the Vatican Gardens.

It is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between the Vatican and the See of Peter. In 2022, Guatemala honoured us with a beautiful nativity scene that was set up in the Paul VI Hall.

Distinguished Authorities, with the honour of the Order of the Quetzal  that you bestowed on me, your country is even closer to my heart.

Thank you