Mangalore: Rt.Rev Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangalore with the other nine bishops with two retired bishops met His Holiness Pope Francis at Holy sea Rome from September 12th to 19th.
As to the sources released by Mangalore diocese, this is a regular visit by Bishop to Holy sea Rome. Any Bishop appointed to any part of the world has to visit Rome, once in five years of his living time.
The visit is named “Ad Limina visit” means near the pedestal of the apostle. The first apostle pope of the church is Pope Peter and after him all the other Popes as his successors. Pope is the Bishop of Rome and He sends other 2850 Bishops as his shadow or replica to the world Dioceses.
Rome is having Apostle and first Pope Peter and Apostle Paul tomb. All the visitors to Rome visit these two tombs and pray for the world.
Meeting Pope is a program as scheduled and normally a group of bishops are been made scheduled visitors and allowed to visit in between Pope regular programs.
Earlier to the visit, the bishop has to send a brief but full view report of His diocese to Holy sea congregation. Then the visit day and date will be scheduled
Geographical area wise the visits are scheduled as now Karnataka Bishops are made their ad limina visit to Rome as per schedule.
Mangalore Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha completed his office as Bishop for one year on 15th September and his first visit to Rome a consecrated Bishop of Mangalore. Though he was in Rome for more than 10 years earlier, visit as official Bishop makes the difference.
Mangalore Bishop was with Udupi Bishop Rt Rev Dr Issac Gerald Lobo, Belgum Bishop Rt Rev Dr Derek fernandes, Bangalore Arch Bishop Most Rev Dr Peter Machaado, Bellary Bishop Rt Rev Dr Henry Dsouza, Chickmagaluru Bishop Rt Rev Dr Antony Swami, Gulbarga Bishop Rt Rev Dr Robert M Miranda, Mysore Bishop Rt Rev Dr K.A William, Shimoga Bishop Rt Rev Dr Francis Serrao, Emeritus Mangalore Bishop Very Rev A.P dsouza, and very Rev Bernard Moras.