A group of Portuguese soldiers will travel 2,800 km by bike, from Fatima to the Vatican, to visit Benedict XVI. The pilgrimage by bike, announced by the Portuguese Catholic press agency “Ecclesia”, is not something new: a similar one was completed by 6 soldiers in 2000. This time the pilgrimage officially began at Fatima on 13 May and after the first leg of 150 km the cyclists had already reached the Spanish province of Burgos. The slogan of the pilgrimage is “By pedalling with Mary we’ll be peacemakers”. The group is formed of 12 cyclists, 3 drivers, I masseur and 4 vehicles. At the end of the journey, the pilgrims will participate in the general audience with Benedict XVI on 31 May.
