Team Herald
PANJIM: President of India, Ram Nath Kovind visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa and the Mangueshi Temple, Ponda on the concluding day of his Goa visit on Sunday.
The President, who was accompanied by his wife and country’s first lady Savita Kovind and Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, was at the Church for around 20 minutes before heading to Mangueshi Temple.
Basilica Rector, Fr Patricio Fernandes, who guided Kovind during his visit to the Basilica, informed that the President said he is blessed by coming here.
“The president said he has come here twice earlier and every time he comes to Goa, he has always received blessings from the Church,” the priest said quoting his conversation with Kovind.
“I told him about significance of the Basilica, which was called the Church of Jesus and later as Bom Jesus. I also informed him about the incorrupt body of St Francis Xavier, which is a miracle. So I prayed for him and for the country as well,” Fr Fernandes said.
The Rector later showed the President the Golden Rose where they posed for photographs. The rose was given by Pope to Diocese of Goa especially the Basilica. “I also showed him the relics of martyrs,” he added.
At Mangueshi Temple, the President sought the blessings of Lord Mangesh before flying back to Delhi via INS Hansa at Dabolim.
