Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia Fernandez has opened the possibility of the country inviting Pope Francis to visit next year for the 520th anniversary of the first mass in the New World that was celebrated in La Isabela, Puerto Plata by Friar Bernardo Boil on 6 January 1494.
He said that the visit of Pope Francis would help with “religious tourism” in the country. Visits to the Santo Cerro Church in La Vega and the Basilica in Higuey are increasing.
He said it was possible that Pope Francis would come and highlighted the fact that 42% of the Catholics in the world lived in Latin America.
He made the comments whilst inaugurating repair works at the Santo Cerro Church in La Vega.
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