The YMCA of Argentina greets FRANCISCO, new Roman Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Our institution has a deep admiration for Cardinal Jorge M. Bergoglio, who as Archbishop of Buenos Aires has always had a special weighting by the YMCA service and his work in Argentina promoting values??. In 2012, the institution had three audiences with Cardinal Bergoglio, all full of meaning and encouragement. One with Johan Eltvik, general secretary of the World Alliance of YMCAs, and a second with Juan Simoes, secretary general of the European Alliance of YMCAs. A few years ago, another hearing was on the occasion of the visit to Argentina of the former general secretary of the World Alliance, Bart Shaha. In May of that same year 2012, the interfaith celebration to mark the 110th anniversary of the YMCA of Argentina was chaired by the new Pontiff today and took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral involving evangelical ministers, a rabbi and an imam. These strong ties of friendship and affection are now accompanied by the best wishes in his complex and sensitive ministry.
Norberto Rodriguez
Secretary General
YMCA of Argentina