Dear Editor: I would like to thank The Tablet for your interesting article in the Sept. 29 edition about Pope Francis’ visit to the Marian shrine in Aglona, Latvia. The Lithuanian community of the Brooklyn Diocese was particularly thrilled by our Holy Father’s historic visit to the three Baltic nations this past month. In addition to his visit to Latvia, our Holy Father also spent two days in neighboring Lithuania, as well as a day in Estonia.

Several members of our community travelled to Lithuania especially for the visit and were deeply moved by Pope Francis as he celebrated Mass before 100,000 faithful in Kaunas, Lithuania, as well as praying the rosary at the shrine of Our Lady of the Gates of Dawn in the capital city, Vilnius.  Since the people of the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are each celebrating the centennial of their independence this year, Pope Francis’ visit was a truly wonderful gift, leaving them all with an inspirational message of hope for a bright and blessed future.

RAIMUNDAS SLIZYS

Woodhaven