VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will visit two Marian shrines during a weekend trip to Savona and Genoa, Italy.
The Vatican press office released today the schedule for the Pope's May 17-18 pastoral visit.
The Holy Father will depart from Ciampino Airport on Saturday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. and will land an hour later at Christopher Columbus Airport of Genoa-Sestri. From there, he will be taken by helicopter to the shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Savona.
After visiting the shrine, Benedict XVI will be taken by car to the Piazza del Popolo in Savona where, at 5:45 p.m., he will concelebrate Mass and give the homily.
After that celebration he will go to the bishop’s palace to privately visit the rooms of Pope Pius VII.
Around 8:15 p.m. the Pontiff will be taken by helicopter from the old dock of the port of Savona to Genoa where he will land 90 minutes later at the shrine of the Virgin of the Watch in Ceranesi. He will spend the night in that Genoese municipality.
On Sunday, May 18, at 9 a.m., the Pope will make a private visit to the shrine and will then be taken by helicopter to Genoa where he will arrive at the Villa Gentile Sports Center around 9:40 a.m.
From there, the Holy Father will be taken by car to the Gaslini Children’s Hospital where he will meet the medical staff and the children who are patients, accompanied by their families. He will then be taken by car to Piazza Matteotti where, at 11:15 a.m., he will meet with the youth of the area, addressing them and praying the Angelus with them.
From Piazza Matteotti, the Holy Father will travel to the Genoese Cathedral of St. Lawrence where, at 12:20 p.m., he will meet with the cathedral’s chapter and consecrated men and women. He will then be taken to the Benedict XV Seminary where he will lunch with the Ligurian bishops.
At 4:30 p.m. he will arrive at the Piazza della Vittoria to concelebrate Mass and give the homily. Afterward, Benedict XVI will be taken to Christopher Columbus Airport where his flight will leave at 7 p.m., returning to Rome around 7:50.
ZE08050806 - 2008-05-08
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22530?l=english
Pontiff to Visit Shrines in Genoa, Savona
Schedule Released for May 17-18 Trip
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