Pope praises 'good wine' from land of ancestors in Italy

O pope Francisco made reference to his Italian origins in the province of Asti, at  Piedmont, north of the country, during an event dedicated to São José Marello, a native of the region.

 “As you know, my family also has origins in Asti.

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We have common roots in Piedmont, the birthplace of the founder [of the Congregation of Oblates of Saint Joseph] Saint Joseph Morello. What a beautiful land, with good wine!”, declared the Pope to the participants of the 18th General Chapter of the Congregation of Oblates of Saint Joseph, in the Vatican.

Francisco, whose baptismal name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the son of Mario Giuseppe Bergoglio Vasallo, an Italian from the municipality of Portacomaro, in the province of Asti. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori Gogna, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Genoese parents. (HANDLE)