Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

The Diocese of Tucson recently hosted a delegation from Italy, comprising relatives of Venerable Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino. “The delegation included members of the Chini family – Padre Kino’s own family, who still live and work on the ancestral farms where Padre Kino grew up in the 1600s!” explained Fr. Greg Adolf, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sierra Vista, AZ. “The group of 11 was led by Giuliana Cova, the mayoress of Predalia, and included Alberto Chini, who heads the Kino Foundation in Italy.”

Their visit coincided with a celebration in Magdalena, Mexico, where Venerable Padre Kino’s crypt is located. Before traveling to Mexico, the Chini delegation toured the Diocese of Tucson. They were welcomed by Bishop Edward Weisenburger, the Mexican Consulate, and the Kino Heritage Society. Fr. Adolf noted that they toured San Xavier del Bac Mission—founded by Padre Kino in 1692—and other sites and participated in a symposium arranged in their honor on the Tohono O’odham Reservation about Padre Kino's spiritual heritage.

In Sierra Vista, they visited St. Andrew’s Kino Hall and viewed a statue of Padre Kino on the church's south façade as well as a mural depicting him greeting Chief Coro at the San Pedro River in 1695. The delegation also visited Tombstone and Bisbee before heading to Magdalena de Kino in Sonora for official receptions and an exchange of sister-cities documents.

Fr. Adolf mentioned that “the visitors were accompanied by Fr. Claudio Murrieta from Nogales, Sonora, Vice-Promoter of Padre Kino’s Cause for Canonization.” Pope Francis declared Padre Kino "Venerable" in July 2020; part of this visit was to assess local respect and continuing influence as part of his cause for sainthood.

Elizabeth Pagels from Tucson found this visit particularly special due to her pilgrimage to Segno, Italy—the birthplace of Venerable Padre Kino—in 2022 to gather research for her book about him. She recounted how Alberto Chini and his wife Ilda warmly welcomed her into their home during her visit.

Pagels expressed joy at reuniting with the Chinis during their official visit to Southern Arizona and Mexico: “It was not only an unexpected blessing for me but truly a family reunion! What a joy it was to be greeted with ‘Ciaos’ and hugs by the Chinis here in Southern Arizona.”

As Venerable Padre Kino’s cause for canonization continues under Vatican assessment, faithful followers are encouraged to seek his intercession.