New Pope has ties of friendship with the Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO. New Pope Francis has had ties of friendship for decades with the Dominican Republic where he has not only shared duties with the Metropolitan Archbishop Nicolas de Jesus Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez, who he calls "the Patriarch of America," he was also the classmate and personal friend of the departed Jesuit priest Father Juan Montalvo.

The Supreme Pontiff is defined as a simple, humble man with broad pastoral experience.

Of Father Montalvo he said about a year ago: "Juan has been one of those men that was called by the Lord, he loved Him and followed Him until the end."

The words of the Holy Father are there in a handwritten letter sent to Doctor Luis Emilio Montalvo Arzeno, the brother of the departed priest on 25 March 2012. According to the doctor, he sent the man that is today Pope Francis, the book "The life of Father Juan" written by Rosalina Perdomo de Davalos, which traces the life of her brother.

As a result of this, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, wrote him and pointing out: "Reading the book was good for me, it led me to prayer; it led me to find myself with the Lord....and not just once."

He expressed desires that the testimony of the life of Father Juan Montalvo should be disseminated; "and I will do whatever I can."

In the letter he also asked that his best regards be transmitted to Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez; "our Patriarch of America."

"I remain at your orders. I wish you a Holy Easter (due to Holy Week being so close), and as a favor, I ask that you pray for me," says the letter.

According to what Doctor Montalvo Arzeno said, his departed brother and Bergoglio were the same age and served as Novice Masters.

He said that he met the new Holy Father in 2004 when he was carrying out diplomatic function in Buenos Aires, Argentina and since then has maintained a steady friendship.

"He always said that my brother had very clear ideas, very brilliant and very innovative for the formation of Jesuits according to the new times, he always emphasized that aspect," he recalled.

He said that he always noted the humility shown at that time by the Argentine cardinal, who he recalled always used to use public transportation.

The former diplomat defined him as a proper and clear man and an excellent conversationalist.

He recalled that the new Holy Father always seemed to have a special love for the Dominican Republic and he always referred to Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez with special feelings.

He said he hopes that papal work by Francis will bring renewal to the Catholic Church.

"He is a very level-headed man, very simple and with great humility and I believe that the Church needs these three things, well mixed, because the changes that should come about are necessary," he stressed as he made it clear at the same time that Catholicism needs an internal shakeup.

He ended by saying that the new Pope always has a special predilection for the country and he always referred to his brother Juan and the Cardinal with much affection.

"His appreciation of the Dominican Cardinal was evident when he made his appearance as the new Pope and he (Lopez Rodriguez) was with him together with some other cardinals," he noted.

He did not go to receptions

The new Pope, while he was working as the Cardinal of Buenos Aires, always refrained from attending diplomatic receptions. He always said that he preferred religious events.

Because of this on two occasions he turned town invitations that were made by the Dominican diplomat. The first was for the welcoming party for the Dominican delegation in Argentina and the second was for the departure ceremony.

He commented to Montalvo that he would not go because if he went he would have to attend all of the other invitations.