” “A "faithful copy" of the Black Virgin worshipped in the sanctuary of Altötting, Bavaria, recently visited by the Pope. It is Benedict XVI’s gift to card. Angelo Sodano at the end of the ceremony for the handing over of the helm of the Secretariat of State which took place today in Castel Gandolfo. A token, "not only of my everlasting gratitude specified the Pope but also of our communication in prayer”. The Holy Father mentioned the visit that ended yesterday: “I had the joy of being accompanied by you in my journey to Bavaria he stated we have visited some important Episcopal Sees, Munich and Regensburg and the ancient See of Freising, and we have visited our national sanctuary, as it were, that of Altötting, which for centuries has been called the heart of Bavaria”. “And it is the true heart of Bavaria added Benedict XVI because here, when we find the Mother, we find the Lord, here, in all the complications of history and in all the difficulties of the present, we find again, with the protection of the Mother, the joy of faith”.” “
