On the occasion of Don Alvaro’s beatification, Pope Francis sent a letter to Monsignor Echevarría, then Prelate of Opus Dei, which reads as follows: “Especially outstanding was his love for the Church, the Spouse of Christ, whom he served with a heart devoid of worldly self-interest, far from discord, welcoming towards everyone and always seeking in others what was positive, what united, what was constructive. He never spoke a word of complaint or criticism, even at especially difficult times, but instead, as he had learned from Saint Josemaría, he always responded with prayer, forgiveness, understanding and sincere charity.”

Download Newsletter no. 14 here.

In 1994, Pope Saint John Paul II wrote to Alvaro del Portillo: “To my venerable and dear brother, Alvaro del Portillo, who with a grateful heart to the Lord celebrates his eightieth birthday: expressing my deep appreciation for your faithful work in the service of the Church.”

In Pope Leo XIV’s homily marking the beginning of his pontificate on 18 May 2025, he encouraged us: “Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”

We join in Pope Leo XIV’s hope, inspired by the words of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo reflected in this Newsletter.